[HMNMH] – In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, Henry Mayo’s lactation team will support this year’s ILCA (International Lactation Consultant Association) theme “The Road to Lifelong Health Begins with Breastfeeding” by providing educational resources to the community, specifically in urgent care offices and the hospital’s Emergency Room.

“We want to provide breastfeeding mothers with accurate information about breastfeeding, including any questions they may have about medications during breastfeeding and treatment for common breastfeeding problems,” said Mary Beth Sweet, BS, IBCLC, lactation specialist at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.

The road to lifelong health through successful breastfeeding begins with the support of healthcare providers, governments, employers and communities. ICLA provides resources including several lactation directories. For more information, visit www.ILCA.org.

The benefits of breastfeeding have been established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Along with other medical organizations, WHO recommends that babies exclusively breastfeed for at least six months of life and continue breastfeeding for at least one year. The AAP believes that breast milk is the optimal form of nutrition for infants and helps reduce the risk for childhood obesity and infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Henry Mayo’s lactation services offers several breastfeeding education programs, including Successful Breastfeeding prenatal class, Tuesdays, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Human Resources building, and “First Weeks” Weekly Breastfeeding Workshop, Thursdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Services also available include inpatient and outpatient assistance and follow-up care, information on returning to work while breastfeeding, as well as solutions to common breastfeeding problems.

“Breastfeeding is so important to a baby’s health,” said Lisa Araki, IBCLC, lactation specialist. “Breast milk provides infants with the most complete nutrition possible and has the optimal mix of nutrients and antibodies necessary for them to thrive.”

Henry Mayo is Baby-Friendly designated. To learn more about Henry Mayo’s Lactation Services, please call (661) 253-8238 or visit www.henrymayo.com.

ABOUT HENRY MAYO

Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital is a 238- bed not-for-profit acute care hospital serving the Santa Clarita Valley since 1975. Services include trauma, emergency, intensive care, neonatal intensive care unit, maternity, surgery, nursing, wound care, behavioral health, and acute rehab, as well as cancer, cardiology, imaging, lab, digestive, respiratory services and physical and occupational therapies. Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital is located at 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355-2083. For more information, visit www.henrymayo.com or call 661-253-8000.