Support and Advice
Between 60 and 70 percent of mothers leaving St. Clare Hospital's Childbirth Center are planning to nurse their babies, states Maria Hansa, a registered nurse here since 1989. "That number drops after they go home, but I think it's because mothers often don't get the information and support they need for breast-feeding. Our mothers' lives and needs are varied. We need to make sure all mothers understand the basics of how our bodies make milk, how to effectively help the baby latch on to the breast and how to care for herself so she can nurture her baby. Then we need to listen to our mothers and help them problem-solve so that nursing will work for them."

Those are the kinds of points Hansa makes with new mothers before they leave the hospital. She makes certain that mothers have answers to their breast-feeding questions as well as on-going support when they choose to nurse. Hansa is a certified lactation consultant and is qualified to counsel women from a wide variety of cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds on breast-feeding issues. She also provides training to other hospital staff to assure new nursing mothers receive all the support they need -- night or day.

"Breast-feeding is the natural succession to pregnancy," she explains.

Babies initially receive colostrum from the mother. It acts as a natural laxative to help newborns get their gastrointestinal systems working properly. In addition to fewer digestive problems, breast-fed babies are also known to have fewer respiratory and allergy-related problems. Breastfed babies receive natural antibodies from their mother. They are also less likely to become jaundiced if nursing is initiated immediately after birth and continues frequently thereafter.

Mothers also benefit from breast-feeding their babies. Nursing helps control post-partum bleeding by stimulating the release of the hormone oxytocin in the mother's body.

"It promotes rest and relaxation by stimulating the release of the hormone prolactin. Long-term, nursing mothers are less likely to develop breast or uterine cancer. It also helps mothers form close bonds with their newborns," Hansa points out.

In general, mothers take off weight quicker, save money over buying infant formula and save time through the convenience breast-feeding offers.

There are also benefits to employers who support a mother's choice to breast-feed, Hansa says. That's because women view a workplace supportive of breast-feeding as positive and supportive of her. Because of the health benefits to the child, mothers take fewer sick days to stay home with sick children.

Hansa facilitates a monthly support group offered by St. Clare Hospital for mothers who breast-feed. St. Clare has also added a neonatal nutrition class which emphasizes breast-feeding. In addition, Hansa and other health care professionals as well as interested community members formed the Sauk County Breast-feeding Coalition. The Coalition's purpose is to make known the facts about breast-feeding, foster communication throughout the county and gain acceptance in the workplace for the decision women make to breast-feed.