HONESDALE, PA — Brittany Kimble, RN, Wayne Memorial’s International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, is a champion for breastfeeding families throughout the year. 

During August 1- 7, celebrated as World Breastfeeding Week, Kimble educates the community about the positive impact breastfeeding has on the mother, the child and society. 

This year’s theme, “Let’s make breastfeeding work, at work” speaks to how Kimble assists nursing moms prepare for their return to the workplace.

Kimble said that planning starts by ensuring that every expectant mother receives a breast pump through their insurance, and then continues with support and preparation for a successful return to work. “I schedule a ‘back to work consult’ around six to eight weeks post-partum,” she said. 

During this time, topics such as maintaining a good pump schedule, how to pace-feed the baby to avoid overfeeding, and the correct storage of breast milk are discussed. “I find that the preparation is so important. The more prepared we are the easier the transition we have.”

Kimble also emphasized the legal rights women have within the workplace through the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act. It requires that most employers nationwide provide reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom space for lactating employees to pump milk during the work day. 

As employers, Wayne Memorial Hospital and Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers (WMCHC) support breastfeeding mothers when they are separated from their newborn, and recognize the challenge associated with returning to work by “providing a comfortable and inclusive workplace for nursing mothers.”

For instance, the hospital has a designated Lactation Room for its employees, complete with a small refrigerator, microwave and storage space. 

Although WMCHC does not have dedicated lactation rooms at its outpatient sites, accommodations are in place for a private space with a lock on the door to ensure new mothers can breastfeed as needed without interruption.

Kimble noted that her 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 WMCHC’s Women’s Health Center; call 570/253-3005. 

To hear Kimble further discuss services available to breastfeeding moms and moms preparing to breastfeed, listen to the Healthworks podcast at www.wmh.org/healthworks.  

To learn more about all maternity services from Wayne Memorial, visit wmh.org/givingbirth.