Registration Now Open for Free Summer Breastfeeding Management Courses

  • June 13, 2013

Brookings Health System invites hospital, public health, and clinic nurses as well as lactation consultants, doulas, breastfeeding advocates, parents and anyone passionate about breastfeeding to participate in a free breastfeeding management course this summer.

Registration is now open for the course, “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.” A weekend session will be held July 19-21; an evenings-only session will be held Aug. 19, 20, 21, 26 and 27. Both sessions will be held at Brookings Health System’s hospital, conference rooms A and B.

Funding for the course was made possible by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Women’s Health. Brookings Health System applied for the funds with the goal of improving the rate of exclusive breastfeeding by mothers in Brookings County and surrounding communities.

“Evidenced-based research shows breastfeeding has so many advantages for both babies and mothers,” said OB Director Mary Schwaegerl. “One of our objectives is to educate our community nurses, volunteer doulas, and community breastfeeding support advocates on how they can encourage parents to breastfeed their babies to give them the best start in life.”

Marilyn Hildreth, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant of JM Birth Consultants, will instruct both sessions. Topics during the course include:

  • How milk gets from the breast to the baby
  • Promoting breastfeeding during pregnancy
  • Birth practices, breastfeeding, and helping with a breastfeed
  • Practices that assist breastfeeding
  • Milk supply
  • Supporting the non-breastfeeding mother and baby

Class size is limited, so please register early. To register for either session of the free course, please contact Schwaegerl at (605) 696-8811 or register online at www.brookingshealth.org.

Funding for this activity was made possible in part by the Department of HHS, Office of Women’s Health. The views expressed in written materials or publications and by speakers and moderators at HHS-sponsored conferences, do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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.