Brookings Health System to Host Free Breastfeeding Workshops

As a part of the ongoing initiative to improve labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care, and in response to feedback from the recently held birth experience focus groups, Brookings Health System will host "Breastfeeding: the First Hour" workshops.

The workshops aim to teach medical professionals and the public best tactics for initiating breastfeeding. The first session will be held Thursday, Sept. 15, from noon to 4 p.m., and the second session will be held Friday, Sept. 16, from 8 a.m. to noon. Both sessions will take place at Brookings Hospital conference rooms A and B. Valued at $75, the sessions will be offered for free.

The workshops will be lead by Marilyn Hildreth of JM Consultants, a registered nurse, chair of the CIMS mother friendly nurse recognition program, and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. All area obstetrics nurses, doulas, childbirth educators, student nurses, parents, and other medical professionals are invited to attend.

"The Centers for Disease Control recently issued a statement stressing the importance of breastfeeding to help reduce childhood obesity," said Chief Nursing Officer Tammy Hillestad. "Brookings Health System knows breastfeeding is best for both mothers and babies. We understand successful breastfeeding is dependent upon properly training health care staff to help initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth. We are hosting this workshop to help with that initiative."

The workshop will demonstrate proper latch-on techniques and discuss the effects of "just one" bottle along with the health benefits of breastfeeding to the mother and baby.

"We provide evidence-based information on breastfeeding," said Marilyn Hildreth of JM Consultants. "Our students will learn the benefits of skin-on-skin, positions for breastfeeding, and the nine instinctive stages, as well as many other factors for successful lactation."

People interested in attending the workshop should register at www.jmbirthconsultants.com.

Brookings Health System provides full obstetrics services to expectant parents and enables area residents to deliver their baby close to home. 

For more information about Brookings Health System's full obstetrics services, go to www.brookingshealth.org.

About Brookings Health System
Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed Brookview Manor nursing home, and Brookhaven Estates apartments. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, and extended care services. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day and provides around the clock medical-nursing care for patient needs ranging from minor injuries to life threatening crises. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.