TAMC celebrates National Breastfeeding Month

By Dena K. Bridgeford, Lactation Consultant, Tripler Army Medical CenterAugust 16, 2016

TAMC celebrates National Breastfeeding Month
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HONOLULU -- Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) and the Maternal Child Nursing Section are excited to celebrate National Breastfeeding Month.

In 2011, the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee proclaimed August as National Breastfeeding Month. What a great opportunity to promote initiatives throughout the country, and here at TAMC, that helps mothers be successful with breastfeeding.

The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages mothers to breastfeed for the first 12 months of their child's life. Mothers who choose to breastfeed their children are able to provide a wonderful gift.

Colostrum, or the first milk mothers provide to their children, is packed full of everything they need to grow and thrive. Colostrum is full of mother's antibodies and immunities; this first milk also works as a laxative to help infants pass their first stools, which are very thick and sticky.

Did you know that, as a mother continues to breastfeed, her milk will always be changing to meet the current needs of the child? How amazing is that?

TAMC is currently on a journey to become designated with the title "baby friendly." Currently, 359 hospitals in the United States and birthing centers in 49 states and the District of Columbia hold the baby-friendly designation, and we hope to be next.

The baby-friendly hospital initiative encourages hospitals to put policies and practices into place to help with breastfeeding success. It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child; here at TAMC, we are working very hard to surround our new parents with all the support they need to be successful with breastfeeding.

The health care providers at TAMC are committed to breastfeeding and are excited to help new parents meet their breastfeeding goals. Many of the nurses and physicians have received extra training on breastfeeding, so they are prepared to help you succeed.

Breastfeeding is not always easy, and sometimes it takes extra help to be successful. TAMC offers prenatal breastfeeding classes twice a month. In these classes, education is provided about breastfeeding, to include keys to success, how to manage breastfeeding after returning to work and when to ask for help.

Because TAMC knows that sometimes breastfeeding is hard, it has nurses who have completed additional education to become certified lactation counselors. The hospital also has a lactation consultant who will work with you both in the hospital and as an outpatient. Expansion of additional lactation consultants is currently underway to meet our patient care requests of 24-7 availability.

TAMC is excited to help beneficiaries begin their breastfeeding journey. If you have any questions about TAMC's programs, instructors or just want to get more information about breastfeeding, contact the TAMC team at 433-3732. Beneficiaries can also find facts on breastfeeding throughout the month of August on Tripler's Facebook page in celebration of National Breastfeeding Month at www.facebook.com/TriplerArmyMedicalCenter.