Dallas Center Educates Breastfeeding Moms
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - It's been one month since the Lactation Resource and Training Center opened near Parkland Hospital in Dallas and administrators say they are able to see some success.
"I kept pumping because I know how important it is for my son," explained Kelsey Garcia, the mother of five-week-old Isaiah. Her son was born two months premature and Garcia says she had problems trying to nurse him. At first, she used a manual breast pump, but it caused sores and was very painful.
Staff members at Baylor Hospital in Dallas where Isaiah was born directed Garcia to the Lactation Resource and Training Center. Since talking to lactation consultants Garcia says she's now able to breastfeed her son without any device.
"It's really good now," she said. "I'm actually not pumping no more. I'm just latching him on the whole time."
The center now sees about 20 mothers a week, and most of them are directed there after their babies are discharged from Parkland. Administrators hope to increase the number of parents who utilize their services. It is the only lactation center in North Texas and the health and nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) federally funds it.
"It is a success because we have women coming back saying it really helped them," says Training Center Director, Deborah Parnell.
Moms aren't the only ones learning, Peer Dads also work at the center, helping fathers understand the value of breast feeding and counseling them in how to support their wives. Peer Dad Coordinator Muswamba Mwamba says before the Peer Dads were on site, typically fathers would wait outside. "Now that there are men inside. We can involve them and not only involve them in terms of just, 'how are you doing', but how we can equip them to really be a good helper."
Services at the center are for WIC clients, but any mother wanting help or information about breastfeeding is invited to call the hotline number at (214) 670-7222.
Click here for more information on breastfeeding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
