Trinity Health is using National Breastfeeding Month to announce a new program aimed at promoting breastfeeding success among moms who give birth at Trinity Hospital, according to a press release.

Trinity’s Family Birth Center has implemented an inpatient lactation program with an expanded lactation team that will provide education and support to help new mothers become more comfortable with breastfeeding.

“We’ve developed a formalized inpatient lactation program for our newly delivered moms and their breastfeeding infants,” said Sascha Demory, a certified breastfeeding counselor and nurse educator, in the press release. “A designated nurse who is certified in lactation management and training will visit breastfeeding families during their stay to support a strong start to the breastfeeding relationships.”

Demory noted that a strong start to breastfeeding gives women the tools they need to establish a robust milk supply and to experience a sense of empowerment so they may continue nourishing their baby with the milk their body has created. “It’s so amazing,” she declared, in the press release.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, and continued breastfeeding until 12 months in addition to other food. Studies show that breastfeeding provides children with a healthier start to life, with reduced risk of infections and other diseases such as diabetes and obesity later in life.

Demory said in the press release that details about the program will be unveiled Tuesday with a display on the Trinity Hospital Skyway, located between the hospital and Health Center-East. A team of lactation nurses will be on hand from noon to 2 p.m. to answer questions and provide information about the service.

The 2019 Theme for National Breastfeeding Month from the United States Breastfeeding Committee is “Support Changes Everything,” reflecting the reality that families, friends, communities, clinicians, healthcare leaders, employers, researchers, and policymakers all play an important role in supporting breastfeeding families.