“The American Academy of Pediatrics has identified that breastfeeding
is important for optimal infant and child health and development,”
said Ms. Andreu. “Evidence has demonstrated that hospital practices
in maternity care settings can significantly affect breastfeeding rates
and duration of breastfeeding among women. At CVMC we strongly support
and encourage breastfeeding by not separating mothers and infants after
childbirth except in extreme medical situations and by encouraging lactation
within the first hour after birth. In the event that a cesarean is necessary,
we bring the infant to the mother while she is in the post anesthesia
care unit so that lactation can be initiated. Our nurses and lactation
consultants are trained to support breastfeeding from providing assistance
and information to dealing with the most complex breastfeeding challenges.
We are proud to have achieved such high scores in infant nutrition practices.”
Catawba Valley Medical Center is a not-for-profit, public healthcare system
providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual
well-being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health
education, wellness services, preventative medicine and acute care. CVMC,
twice recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet
facility, was recently named as a “Distinguished Hospital for An
Outstanding InPatient Experience” by J.D. Power and Associates as
well as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers.