SHIP stories
Training and support is an important investment
because breastfed babies are at a lower risk for
many health problems, such as ear and respiratory
infections, diarrhea, asthma and obesity, and
mothers who breastfeed are less likely to develop
diabetes or breast or ovarian cancer.
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In its first two years, the Statewide Health
Improvement Program (SHIP), helped 73
health care institutions increase support for
breastfeeding.
Helping raise healthy babies
Through the support of SHIP, nurses and other staff
from several hospitals across Minnesota received
breastfeeding training in order to help new mothers
and their infants.
The training, held annually since 2010, is a one
day continuing education event with SHIP covering
registration fees for staff from participating hospitals
and public health agencies. The trainings emphasize
10 simple steps to successful breastfeeding and
specifically include a focus on mothers’ and newborns’
barriers to breastfeeding.
Nurses at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center
Nursing Department/Birthplace couldn’t be happier
with the training. “Training helped me understand
where mothers are coming from. I use it every day. It
also helped me with my approach so I can help new
moms meet their goals,” commented Jane Johnson, RN
and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
(IBCLC).
The Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) works to
improve health through better nutrition, increased physical activity
and decreased commercial tobacco use and exposure. Find out
more at www.health.state.mn.us/ship
The training provided participants with realistic tips
to help mothers coming from all backgrounds, and
talked about how confidence is one of the biggest
barriers to breastfeeding. “The most important lesson
is that [mothers] can do this,” commented Pam Galle,
IBCLC, who organized the trainings “The steps [of
breastfeeding] aren’t difficult, and they have significant
outcomes.”
Erin Olin, mother of two, reminisced about the strong
expert lactation guidance she received after delivering
her firstborn at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical
Center. “Essentia is very much a hospital that promotes
breastfeeding.”
Thanks to SHIP funding, more mothers like Mrs. Olin,
will continue to receive breastfeeding guidance to
ensure healthier beginnings for their newborns.
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updated 1/2013