Saint Barnabas Medical Center Receives Award for Promoting Breastfeeding

Jan. 31, 2011 - PRLog -- Saint Barnabas Medical Center received an award for promoting and supporting breastfeeding from The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA).  This award recognizes hospitals, birthing facilities and birthing services that hire currently certified International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and have a professional lactation support program available 5-7 days a week. Saint Barnabas Medical Center is one of four centers recognized in New Jersey.  “We are extremely proud of this award.  Promoting breastfeeding and encouraging mothers to breast feed is a priority at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.  In addition to the certified lactation consultants on staff, all of our nurses in the mother/baby units are lactation specialists with years of experience,” states Susan Yoskowitz, RN, IBCLC, Saint Barnabas Medical Center.


As part of the award, the hospital also had to demonstrate that they provide training for their nursing, medical, and other staff that care for breastfeeding families, and have implemented special projects that promote, protect, and support breastfeeding.  “We are constantly looking for ways to promote breastfeeding to our new mothers, whether it is through classes, one-on-one conversations between our nurses and new mothers and education for our physicians. Breastfeeding is a focus.  Research has shown that breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies. As healthcare providers, our mission is to educate, encourage and support new mothers who choose to breastfeed” states Karen Ahearn, RN, MPA, NEA-BC.

For more information about having your baby at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, call 973-322-5360 or log on to our website at http://www.saintbarnabas.com/hospitals/obgyn/index.html.