MOTHERS AND THEIR BABIES gather for a recent Mother’s Circle with Kim Beaulieu, R.N., coordinator of Lactation Services. Offered twice a month, the gathering allows new mothers to share experiences, get helpful suggestions and socialize. The sessions are facilitated by Mid Coast’s lactation consultants, who are available to discuss feeding issues and do weight checks.

MOTHERS AND THEIR BABIES gather for a recent Mother’s Circle with Kim Beaulieu, R.N., coordinator of Lactation Services. Offered twice a month, the gathering allows new mothers to share experiences, get helpful suggestions and socialize. The sessions are facilitated by Mid Coast’s lactation consultants, who are available to discuss feeding issues and do weight checks.

BRUNSWICK — Mid Coast Hospital was recently recognized for excellence in breast-feeding education and lactation care by two international organizations in the field — the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA).

IT’S WEIGH-IN TIME. Kim Beaulieu, R.N., coordinator of Lactation Services, records a baby’s weight during a recent Mother’s Circle gathering.

IT’S WEIGH-IN TIME. Kim Beaulieu, R.N., coordinator of Lactation Services, records a baby’s weight during a recent Mother’s Circle gathering.

According to a news release, the hospital received the IBCLC Care Award in recognition for staffing International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and providing a lactation program that is available five to seven days a week for breastfeeding families. In addition, the Brunswick hospital demonstrated that it has provided recent breast-feeding training for medical staff that care for new families, and have recently completed activities that help protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

IT IS A PROUD MOMENT for members of Mid Coast Hospital’s Maternity and Lactation Services team. Displaying the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Award received by the hospital are, from left, Colette Gathcell, R.N.; Eileen Delaney, R.N.C., nurse director; Kim Beaulieu, R.N., coordinator of Lactation Services; and Fay Beaudoin, R.N.

IT IS A PROUD MOMENT for members of Mid Coast Hospital’s Maternity and Lactation Services team. Displaying the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Award received by the hospital are, from left, Colette Gathcell, R.N.; Eileen Delaney, R.N.C., nurse director; Kim Beaulieu, R.N., coordinator of Lactation Services; and Fay Beaudoin, R.N.

Mid Coast Hospital has six certified lactation consultants on staff: Kim Beaulieu, the coordinator of Lactation Services; and Maternity Unit nurses Colette Gathcell, Fay Beaudoin, Bettina Pearson, Roni Sweeney and Angela Klein.

Eileen Delaney, nurse director of Mid Coast Hospital’s Maternity Unit, said, “All of our board-certified lactation consultants focus on preventive care, so they are available during pregnancy to assess the mother and provide information on how to get off to a good start. Our lactation consultants continue to assist families after the baby is born by helping mothers latch their babies appropriately and answering their questions, and continue supporting them as their baby grows.”

According to Cathy Carothers, president of ILCA, “This recognition highlights the efforts being made by maternity facilities all across the world to help mothers get off to a good start with breast-feeding, and to support them in reaching their goals. IBCLCs have the only internationally recognized lactation credential in the world, and are highly skilled in helping mothers with the questions and concerns that can arise.”


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