Breastfeeding moms celebrate with the world

On Aug. 4, 2023, a bright, sunshine-filled conference room at Cape Cod Hospital became the setting to celebrate new moms and babies with a village of support and sharing.

The Family Birthplace at Cape Cod Hospital held its annual celebration of World Breastfeeding Week by bringing together informational presenters to talk about the many aspects of breastfeeding, caring for babies, encouraging moms to care for themselves, and providing support for moms returning to work.

This year's World Breastfeeding Week theme is enabling breastfeeding, making a difference for working parents.

Jennifer Lacasse, MSN, RNC, FNP-C, C-EFM, director of women and infant services at Cape Cod Hospital, welcomed the 17 moms and their babies to a morning of informational presentations, conversation, and refreshments.

“We are here to promote awareness about the vital significance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of moms and babies, to acknowledge the exceptional benefits of breastfeeding not only for physical nourishment and helping babies to grow but the emotional and psychological connections it fosters between moms and their babies,” she said.

Returning to Work

In line with the theme of making a difference for working parents when moms return to work, breastfeeding experts Heather Lakatos, RN, IBCLC, and Diane Robertson-Milliken, BSN, RN, IBCLC, talked about the support moms receive at Cape Cod Hospital.

“To get you to the point of returning to work and breastfeeding, we support you through the first two to four days, which is some of the most challenging time, and then again through the next months, which are crucial,” said Lakatos. “Of the 90 percent of our moms who start breastfeeding in the hospital, 76 percent are exclusively breastfeeding upon discharge. These are the highest rates in the state.”

Robertson-Milliken urged moms to call them at any time. “We can help you with your places at work.” She stressed the importance of the community and employers working together to support working mothers beginning with the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave law that provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave, and the need for employers to provide private areas where moms can breastfeed while at work.

Alyssa Krieger-Dewitt, RN, ICCE, stressed the importance of moms supporting one another.

“We have our breastfeeding clinic, postpartum clinic and, with each other, you spur one another on for success,” she said. “Whether it is breastfeeding in the workplace or your home life, you are an incredible resource for one another in our outpatient clinics. We appreciate you joining us twice a week, and we feel so fortunate to be a part of your journey.”

As the community speakers did their presentations, moms laughed and nodded with understanding at some of the anecdotes the presenters shared about the challenges of caring for babies.

Community Presenters

At the event, community presenters included:

• Cindy Horgan, executive director of the Cape Cod Children’s Place, who shared her insightful mantras about being a mom and the importance of self-care. Of the many lessons she talked about, two she felt were very important. “This is the most important job you will ever do and the hardest job you will ever do. The two most important factors as your children grow are the relationships that they know and the experiences they have. Those both begin with you.” She urged parents to: “Dare to be perfectly imperfect in your parenting.”
• Jennifer Christian, founder of Cape Cod Car Seat Momma, demonstrated car seat safety and the importance of knowing how to use a car seat before needing to use it. She stressed that moms and dads must read their car seat manuals to understand how to use the car seat thoroughly. Parents can reach out to her for assistance.
• Lynne DiPirro, PT, DPT, who specializes in pelvic health, discussed postpartum strength training, demonstrated beneficial positions to use while breastfeeding, and tips and stretches while sitting or holding your baby. She stressed the importance of stretching exercises. She offers online classes for moms that allow them to work in exercise in their own time and pace. She also provides personal training.
• Cheryl Donohue of the Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program (WIC) talked about the important role of play therapy in helping children to express their emotions through play and helps them express what they are thinking and feeling. “Children do not need to be taught to play. Play is their words; toys are their language.”
• Meg Payne, director of public health and wellness for the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod, talked about the agency’s prenatal and postpartum programs [PDF].