Photo By Marcy Sanchez | William Beaumont Army Medical Center Soldiers, staff, moms and families gather for a...... read more read more
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Balloons filled the sky near William Beaumont Army Medical Center as mothers, family members and staff celebrated breastfeeding success on WBAMC’s Northeast lawn, April 1.
The celebration was part of WBAMC labor and delivery ward’s “Share Your Success” balloon festival, where WBAMC welcomed mothers who have delivered or are expecting to deliver at WBAMC for a social event and opportunity to show mutual support.
“There’s an ideology out there that breastfeeding is easy,” said Capt. Stefanie Schwarz, labor and delivery nurse and lactation consultant, WBAMC. “It’s really hard. Some moms are struggling and without the education and support, a lot of mothers give up.”
Currently, WBAMC averages between 120-130 infant deliveries a month. The hospital is also on the pathway to being designated as a Baby-Friendly facility, a national breastfeeding initiative for hospitals and birthing centers.
About 98% of expecting moms want to breastfeed after going to educational services provided by the labor and delivery department, said Schwarz.
“Breast is best,” said Schwarz. “Research shows (breastfed) babies have less health complications than infants who are formula fed.”
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, breast milk contains hormones and disease-fighting cells called antibodies that help protect infants from germs and illness.
It didn’t take much research to get Alana Heitzer, a 27-year-old mother of one, to start breastfeeding her eight-month-old son, Tommy, after his birth.
“I knew that there are quite a few health benefits (for babies from breastfeeding),” said Heitzer. “It’s definitely worth it for me.”
Heitzer, who was herself breastfed as a child, took full advantage of WBAMC’s Baby-Friendly initiative and says WBAMC supported her in ways other hospitals might not have.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding infants for at least 12 months in addition to strictly feeding infants breast milk for 6 months before introducing other foods. At WBAMC, classes are available for expecting parents so they can learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding.
“I’m really thankful that I was able to give birth at WBAMC,” said Heitzer, spouse of 1st Lt. Robert Heitzer, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. “It was a really good experience.”
“We want to show patients that they are not alone, and there is someone here to help them,” said Schwarz.
The inaugural “Share Your Success” event was the first of its kind for the labor and delivery ward. The staff plans to turn the event into an annual occurrence.
For more information on educational opportunities for expecting mothers, call 915-742-4296.
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.11.2016 12:43 |
| Story ID: | 195005 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 142 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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