Aurora Lakeland a Baby Friendly facility

First hospital in the state to meet criteria earns re-designation

By Heather Ruenz

Staff writer

Being one of about 400 hospitals in the United States to be re-designated as a Baby Friendly birth facility is a proud accomplishment for staff at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, in Elkhorn, and was a journey that began thanks to the efforts of a former nurse.

“It was the vision of Carol McShane-Street, who spearheaded us becoming Baby Friendly. She is now retired but spearheaded us applying for, and being designated. She saw it through or it might not have happened,” Rhonda Brovold, an RN at Aurora Lakeland who is also one of three International Board Certified Lactation Consultants at the facility, said.

The hospital first received its designation as Baby Friendly in 2001; the recent re-designation is good for the next five years. The requirements revolve around the facility offering an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies, according to Dawn Haxton, manager of women’s services at Aurora Lakeland.

“We offer education support for moms to make an informed decision and are committed to supporting moms who choose to breastfeed. We’ve seen a huge increase in breastfeeding since we received the designation,” Brovold said.

Diane Martin, another certified lactation consultant nurse at Aurora Lakeland, said an important part of the program is the follow-up care and support for new moms and their babies once they’re at home.

“We’re blessed to have Aurora support us having three certified lactation consultants on staff,” Martin said.

The facility is collaborating with the Walworth County Public Health Department to develop a breastfeeding coalition, with a goal to get more information about breastfeeding out to people in the community, Brovold said.

“It will also offer more support that they can access outside of, or in addition to, what we offer here,” Martin added.

Immediate connection

Brovold said an important part of a mom successfully breastfeeding their baby is the immediate contact between them.

“Within the first hour after birth, the skin-to-skin contact is so important and the baby remains there until the first breastfeeding,” Brovold said.

“It also helps with temperature and blood sugar regulation as well as the transition from the womb to being outside of it,” Martin said.

Advantages to breastfeeding, according to Brovold, include: greater immunity against diseases and decreases in incidents of diabetes and obesity for the baby – even into adulthood, and for the mom, a decrease in breast and ovarian cancer, as well as an aid in post-partum recovery.

“It also creates a bond between them and has been proven that early initiation and continuous support equals a greater outcome in the longevity of moms and babies breastfeeding,” Brovold said.

At Aurora Lakeland, the number of new moms who choose to breastfeed is at about 83 percent, Martin said. Last year 706 babies were born at the hospital.

Wide range of support

Brovold said the support from Haxton and Aurora is vital in the facility maintaining its Baby Friendly designation, but additional support comes from a variety of sources.

“We have a lot of staff and physician support. A lot of doctors refer patients back to us if there are issues – say a baby is not gaining enough weight or something – and that ongoing education and support we’ve been able to offer has really helped our designation stay strong and successful,” Brovold said.

There are also renovations being done at Aurora Lakeland that will further support the program.

“Once complete, it will aid the program in keeping moms in these rooms. That will help with the skin-on-skin and initial breastfeeding,” Haxton said.

Brovold said some babies latch onto their mother’s breast immediately and those moms don’t need as much support.

“But for those babies that don’t latch on for some reason, those moms really benefit from the support we offer. All of the staff have had some education about breastfeeding so even when the lactation consultants aren’t here, whoever is working is capable of carrying on the support needed,” Brovold said.

The third certified lactation consultant nurse at Aurora Lakeland is Mary Barta. Between the three of them – all who can work dual roles – the facility is able to offer lactation consultants eight hours a day, seven days a week. They also see moms in outpatient at follow-up appointments once they’ve been released from the hospital after giving birth.

Far-reaching program

Aurora Lakeland serves families in the birthing unit from Walworth County as well as some from Kenosha and Racine counties and beyond, Brovold said.

“Patients seek out this hospital because we are Baby Friendly and don’t offer any unnecessary things such as pacifiers or supplements – unless medically indicated or a choice of the parents,” Brovold added.

Aurora also has a midwife program with two certified midwives – Kate Harrod in Elkhorn and Lisa Lockett in Burlington, who support natural birthing options without medications.

Brovold said while breastfeeding is encouraged, it’s not for everyone.

“It’s the parents choice, completely. We provide the education so they can make an informed decision and support whatever choice they make. If they choose not to breastfeed for any reason, we provide formula and any other support they need,” Brovold said.

To become designated as Baby Friendly, a facility must implement a plan that meets the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, collect data and measure the facility’s results in comparison to guidelines and evaluation criteria until audit results indicate all required standards are being met, pass an on-site assessment including interviews, observations and document reviews, and be designated by an external review board.

Aurora Lakeland was the first healthcare facility in the state to be designated as Baby Friendly. There are eight other hospitals in Wisconsin that have since been designated as such.

For more information contact Aurora Lakeland’s Lactation Center at (262) 741-2814.