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Wayne Memorial Recognizes World Breastfeeding Week
Honesdale, PA (August 8, 2024) — World Breastfeeding Week is held annually the first week of August and recognized globally by organizations such as WHO and UNICEF. During August 1 – 7th, Wayne Memorial’s International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant Brittany Kimble, RN, BSN, IBCLC, also made an effort to celebrate breastfeeding families with emphasis on “their diversity and journeys” in keeping with the 2024 theme.
Kimble’s services as a lactation consultant are available to all patients who deliver at Wayne Memorial Hospital’s New Beginnings Birthing Suites as well as anyone who would like to establish as a patient at the Women’s Health Center, which is part of Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers.
“We first met at the hospital,” says Kimble regarding to patient Brittany Rafalko, a 33-year-old mother of three from Jefferson Township, PA. After giving birth to now three-month old Beatrice, mom Brittany, who has two older daughters, Violet, 7, and Rosie, 5, felt she needed more than just a refresher course as a nursing mom. Beatrice was diagnosed with Tongue-tie, a condition that restricts the tongue’s range of motion due to an unusually short, thick or tight band of tissue tethering the bottom of the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth. It can also affect the lip.
“It’s not an uncommon problem but can interfere with breast and bottle-feeding” said Kimble adding this is a condition she frequently addresses in her work with moms and newborns. Brittany and Beatrice will continue to consult with Kimble for a while longer during outpatient visits at the Women’s Health Center in Honesdale. Kimble says Beatrice is doing very well and “Brittany has been a champ” in meeting all of her daughter’s need
“August is a great time to showcase how families, societies, communities and healthcare workers can support every breastfeeding family,” stated Kimble. “Brittany and Beatrice are perfect examples.”
Nursing moms and those who plan to breastfeed may establish as a patient at WMCHC’s Women’s Health Center by calling 570-253-3005. To learn more about all maternity services by Wayne Memorial, visit wmh.org/givingbirth.
Photo: Brittany Kimble, RN, BSN, IBCLC, (left) who provides lactation consultations for patients at Wayne Memorial Hospital and WMCHC, is shown with breastfeeding mom Brittany Rafalko and infant daughter Beatrice.
