World Breastfeeding Week is August 1st through 7th.  The theme is "Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding".  As a Texas Ten Step Hospital through the Texas Department of Health Services, North Central Baptist is committed to helping families achieve their breastfeeding goals. For more information on World Breastfeeding Week, go to www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org.

Moms are often given a nipple shield to use in the hospital and have questions about use of the shield and weaning. A nipple shield can help in many situations including difficulties latching, transitioning to breast from many bottles, use with preterm infants, babies with weak/dysfunctional sucks, or flat/inverted nipples. Lactation consultants recommend close follow-up for weight gain and milk supply after discharge. With correct usage and close follow up, many babies can successfully learn to breast feed without a shield.

2010 World Breastfeeding Week is August 1st - 7th. The theme this year is "Just Ten Steps: The Baby Friendly Way". The Baptist Health System has been Texas Ten Step certified since 2008. For more information on World Breastfeeding Week, go to www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org.

Concerned about the cost of purchasing or renting a breast pump? The average cost per month of formula for brand names is around $80-120/month or $960-1440/year! The cost of a purchased pump is usually under $280 and rentals are $70/month or total of $840 for a full year. It's economical and environmental!

Many mothers have questions about medications and safety during breastfeeding. In the Mother's Milk First Lactation Center at North Central Baptist Hospital, we carry the most current edition of Medications and Mother's Milk by Dr. Thomas Hale. Most medications are safe to take during breastfeeding, including most antibiotics and pain medications. For questions/concerns, call 297-4086.

Many parents have had questions about reimbursement for breastpump rental or purchase. Medela has put together a guide with questions to ask insurance companies regarding coverage and benefits. Go to:

www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/tips-and-solutions/138/read-first-coverage-questions 

For information on a new documentary due out on Mother's Day 2010 titled "Babies" that follows the lives of 4 babies around the world through their first year, go to www.medela.com, click"breastfeeding" to view trailer as well as enter the sweepstakes to win savings bonds and photo shoot.

As of April 1st, we are looking at exclusive breastfeeding as a core measure. More information can be found at:

Washington, DC--The United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) has published guidelines to aid hospitals and maternity facilities in accurate collection of the data needed to comply with The Joint Commission's new core measure on exclusive breast milk feeding.

Download PDF document: http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/TJC-Measure-EBMF

After March 31, 2010, The Joint Commission's Pregnancy and Related Conditions core measure set will be retired and replaced with the new Perinatal Care core measure set. The new Perinatal Care core measure set is available for selection for hospitals beginning with April 1, 2010 discharges. Learn more at:

http:/www.jointcommission.org/PerformanceMeasurement/PerformanceMeasurement/Perinatal+Care+Core+Measure+Set.htm

The Perinatal Care core measure set comprises the following measures:

• Elective delivery
• Cesarean section
• Antenatal steroids
• Health care-associated bloodstream infections in newborns
• Exclusive breast milk feeding

USBC's guidelines offer suggestions on how to accurately collect data on exclusive breast milk feeding, with samples from hospitals that already collect this data. USBC encourages sharing of the document and hopes that widespread use will enable hospitals to accurately and easily collect the required data, and to ultimately improve quality of care related to infant feeding.

The Mothers' Milk First Lactation Center at North Central Baptist Hospital is a depot for the Austin Milk Bank. Qualified donors can drop off at our easily accessed location during business hours. For more information on human milk donation, contact the Milk Bank: