ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
Breastfeeding provides numerous benefits for both mothers and infants, including improved health outcomes, and statistics from the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee show Breastfeeding rates have been increasing steadily over the past few decades.
For many new mothers, however, there is some extra support and resources needed, and a revived program will soon help mothers in Seward County. Southwest Medical Center, the Seward County Health Department and other community partners have teamed up to start a breast pump rental program to be available for new mothers who might not qualify for WIC or through their insurance.
Clarissa Carrillo said discussions about the program came about many months ago.
“The idea for this came from Susan Lukwago, and we're currently working with KU Medical Center and through a grant from the CDC that gives us the opportunity to have some funds available to work in a few specific areas, one of which is breastfeeding,” Carrillo said. “One of the things we do is we get together with community groups and other stakeholders to address some of the barriers and gaps in the community. During one of those conversations, we asked 'How can we help new moms?' because we know breastfeeding is important for both the mom and new baby, but it can also be challenging. Women can get a breast pump through insurance or through WIC, but there are still new moms who fall through the gaps and don't qualify for some of those resources. Susan mentioned how in the past, there was a program available for new moms where they could rent a breast pump and get some other lactation support if needed. She suggested starting by talking with Tammie Thompson at the Seward County Health Department, and once I connected with her, other people started coming on board with the project, and we ultimately came together to revive the program.”
“I'd brought Ranae [Riley] in since she knows a lot about that department, and I was part of the previous program, so I did have a little history with it, and then I brought in some others I knew would want to be part of this,” Seward County WIC Director Tammie Thompson added.
I think it's a great community partnership,” Seward County Health Department Director Brie Greeson said. “I love the resources we've been able to develop with this grant, with Tammie and Ranae having experience at Southwest Medical Center, and it's been great bringing all of those resources to the table now to help benefit the entire community.”
Ultimately, the desire to help new mothers in the community who need the extra support pushed the group to revive the program, Carrillo said.
“When we had that conversation with Susan and started talking to other people, we realized there was definitely a need for something like this,” Carrillo said. “Ultimately, we started looking into what funds were available so we could put this together and support new moms in the community. It's amazing being able to work with all these people who have that desire to say 'Let's bring this program back and see what works.' That willingness of everyone to come together has been amazing.”
“And having a lactation consultant from the area will be great, and I'll be on board with this, as will Tammie since she knows a lot about that,” Riley said. “If we determine a patient needs this, we'll get them in touch with either Southwest Medical Center staff or someone at the Seward County Health Department so they can rent a pump. Everything is in place and in working order, and all the instructions are in the case as far as taking care of the pump and then cleaning it when they're done with it. A lot of it will rely on the lactation consultant knowing the needs of the patient.”
“I also think we have some great community fillers and partners, so if there's a need, there are multiple points for someone to contact and say 'This person needs X, let's help them how we can,'” Greeson said. “A major goal is just making sure no one falls through the cracks. I'm really excited for the community to have this resource again. These pumps are hospital grade and work really, really well, and for the new moms who want to be successful at breastfeeding at no cost, that can be a real game-changer. If this program helps even one new mom and baby, we know we've done our job.”
Thompson added a reminder there are other resources available in the community to help new mothers.
“Along with having these pumps available, we want to remind everyone in the community there are lactation resources available, whether it's at Southwest Medical Center or the Seward County Health Department,” Thompson said. “There is that support in the community, and it is available to anyone and everyone who needs it.
