Part of providing great care includes offering network lactation services that promote the mother baby bond. All of our hospitals offer lactation services during the hospital stay and mother's needing additional support can utilize the First Steps program at Southview Medical Center.
In fact, Southview Medical Center is one of six hospitals in Ohio with a designation from Baby-Friendly, USA. Whether the mother has a C-section or vaginal delivery, all the care provided to the mother and baby is designed to keep the mother and baby together, while also educating the parents on their choices, and respecting their choices.
First-time mom Kendra Silvis didn't choose Southview because of the Baby-Friendly designation. However, after having her baby at Southview and using the First Steps lactation service when her baby was a week-old, Kendra credits the service and lactation consultant Katy Boyd, RN, for keeping her breastfeeding.
When her baby Samantha was having trouble latching and losing weight, Kendra's pediatrician encouraged her to call Southview's First Steps outpatient lactation service. It was Christmas week, and First Steps was closing early. However Katy stayed late the night before Christmas Eve to see Kendra and Samantha.
"Katy really put me at ease," says Kendra. "Everything felt very normal."
Katy explains that while Baby-Friendly designated hospitals are committed to supporting breastfeeding, they support all mothers. "We respect whatever the mother wants, from breastfeeding to bottle feeding, we're there to keep moms and babies together."
Katy and the other lactation consultants are there to help any parents. "It isn't just for breastfeeding mothers," says Katy about the First Steps lactation service. "Even bottle-fed babies can have trouble eating."
Learn more about the maternity centers at Kettering Health Network.