GRMC recognized for breastfeeding practices

Mindy Suhr, GRMC director of Maternal Child Health, and Mary Gruszka, RN, IBCLC, GRMC lactation consultant, display the Shining Star Award from the New Mexico Breastfeeding Taskforce given to hospitals in the state that have eliminated the use of formula company marketing materials.

GRMC was one of the 10 New Mexico hospitals to receive the award for on-going practices to support breastfeeding.

The hospital has eliminated formula company gift bags from their Happy Beginnings Bags that Gila Regional Medical Center sends home with new parents. The formula company gift bags, which contain bottle-feeding instruction, coupons, and samples, can discourage breastfeeding, said GRMC nurse and lactation consultant Mary Gruszka.

The award was presented to Mindy Suhr, director of Maternal Child Health, at a ceremony during the last week's GRMC Board meeting.

"We are pleased to be one of 10 New Mexico hospitals to receive the award for on-going practices that support breastfeeding," said Cathy Woodard, CNO & CCS, Gila Regional Medical Center. "We continually look for ways to better serve our families."

"This is only one step Gila Regional has taken in the journey towards adopting Baby Friendly practices, a set of 10 evidence-based steps designed to provide families with the best possible support for breastfeeding," said Gruszka.

This year's theme for World Breastfeeding Week celebration is "Breastfeeding the Baby Friendly Way: Just 10 Steps." The community is invited to attend

GRMC will hold an educational seminar, "Baby Steps to Success," describing the 10 steps, at noon on Thursday in the GRMC Conference Room.

The hospital also has instituted a monthly support group for mothers called the "Mom and Me Café," breastfeeding support services with certified lactation consultants, and also offers free prenatal classes.

For more information on breastfeeding support call the lactation consultants at (575) 538-4676. For information about the New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force visit http://www.breastfeedingnewmexico.org/

Source: Silver City Sun-News article, August 8, 2010.