WMH hires breastfeeding coach
By Staff Reports
Published in News on July 25, 2012 2:09 PM
For many years, Wayne Memorial Hospital relied on a lactation specialist from Goldsboro Pediatrics to consult with patents about breastfeeding.
Now, in an effort to enhance labor and delivery services, the hospital has hired its own lactation specialist.
Chanee Sullivan came on board July 2.
Her primary role is to assist mothers with breastfeeding newborns.
Officials said she will conduct daily bedside rounds with patients, assess mothers and babies for breastfeeding readiness, be available to discuss concerns and problems, serve as a liaison between the patient and physicians, and make referrals for community services that will be helpful once the mothers and babies are discharged. She will also lead educational programs for staff.
"I heard there was an effort under way to promote the benefits of breastfeeding to expectant mothers in Wayne County and thought it would be exciting to be a part of that push," Mrs. Sullivan said. "I am a registered nurse, and I love nursing, but being able to focus solely on lactation and helping mothers and babies connect and understand the importance of that connection has been a dream of mine for quite some time."
Mrs. Sullivan comes to Wayne Memorial Hospital from Nash Health Care Systems where she was a registered nurse and lactation consultant for six years. She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing at East Carolina University and is an international board certified lactation consultant. She is also certified in neonatal resuscitation.
Next month, Mrs. Sullivan will help Wayne Memorial Hospital kick off a new monthly community education program that will feature experts from the medical community discussing a broad range of health-related subjects.
Her topic will be: "Breastfeeding: How Important Is It?" Expectant parents will be able to ask questions during a follow-up question-and-answer session.
The program will be held Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Wayne Memorial Hospital auditorium on the ground floor.
Mrs. Claiborne will also continue to work with Mrs. Sullivan and consult as needed.