CentraState - Healthy Directions

12 SUPPORTING A New Mom AT CENTRASTATE'S LACTATION CENTER When Freehold resident Siobhan Gatto gave birth to daughter Luna at CentraState on January 31, 2015, she thought, "How hard can breastfeeding be?" the 26-year-old new mom recalls. But while the process went relatively smoothly when the hospital's lactation consultants were there to help her during her hospital stay, "after I went home, I had trouble getting Luna to comfortably latch onto my left side," Siobhan says, and within a few days, "I had a fever, my chest was uncomfortable, and I didn't feel well at all." A return trip to CentraState's Emergency Department confirmed that Siobhan had developed a mastitis breast infection, a painful accumulation of bacteria in the breast caused by milk that wasn't moving. Thankfully, the specialized team from the Lactation Department arrived at the ED, addressed the problem quickly, and helped an appreciative mom and daughter successfully resume breastfeeding. "Breast milk is a natural substance made specifically for babies, and breastfeeding is a way for babies to get live immunity beyond immunizations, but getting breastfeeding established can sometimes require assistance," says lactation coordinator Lysanne Loucel, a 17-year veteran in the field. "People understand that it's an important process, but sometimes they just need help getting on their feet." In that respect, CentraState's Lactation Center, which opened in June 2014, provides a unique service. "In addition to seeing all patients daily while they're in the hospital, our Lactation Center affords moms the opportunity to be seen by a board-certified lactation consultant regarding any breastfeeding concerns after they've gone home. We follow up with them after they're discharged, and they can also call our 'Breastfeeding Warmline' anytime," she says, adding that the hospital's Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center also hosts a free breastfeeding support group twice a month. Following Siobhan's readmission to the hospital in February, "I set her up with a hospital-grade breast pump and got her pumping and feeding to move her milk while we cleared up the infection so that we could get her back home to Luna to resume breastfeeding," Loucel says. "When Siobhan and Luna followed up at the Lactation Center, I helped show her what a good latch was and also conducted pre- and post-feed weighs to confirm that her milk was successfully transferring to Luna." "Lysanne and the team were lifesavers," Siobhan says. "They were right there helping me, educating me, and sharing the warning signs of infection (e.g., painful breastfeeding, skin redness, fever) so I could prevent it from happening again. Their kindness, professionalism and knowledge made me feel very comfortable." "The Lactation Center is a covered service for all new moms under the Affordable Care Act and is part of a wonderful continuum of care that allows us to develop strong relationships with moms, from the point of educating them during prenatal classes through the entire breastfeeding process," Loucel explains. "We're here to support women who want to breastfeed by giving them the tools they need to achieve their breastfeeding goals, and we're always here for them." Several months after delivering Luna, "we're still breastfeeding, and I'm a veteran now," shares a proud Siobhan, who's grateful for the support she received from Loucel and the Lactation Center team. "It's a luxury to have that department at CentraState and to know that these caring specialists are within your reach, just a phone call away." CentraState is one of the first hospitals to receive the prestigious "Baby-Friendly" designation by UNICEF's global certification program. To schedule an appointment with one of CentraState's board-certified lactation consultants, call 732-303-5258. HD Siobhan Gatto and her daughter, Luna, are all smiles after the care they received at CentraState's Lactation Center. Fall 2015 Healthy Directions

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