Nathan Littauer Hospital Recognized for Considerable Lactation Care

Nathan Littauer Hospital Recognized for Considerable Lactation Care

The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®) and International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) have recognized the Lactation Care Team of Nathan Littauer Hospital for excellence in lactation care.

“We’re proud to introduce new technology and medical approaches in breastfeeding support,” says Littauer’s, RN, IBCLC, Nancy Quinlan. “Our patients are excited. We are one of the seven New York State hospitals that applied and received this award for 2021-2023. We are a medical practice leader, and our breastfeeding support services remained strong during the pandemic.”

The Lactation Care Team of Nathan Littauer Hospital has received the 2021 IBCLC Care Award in recognition for staffing professionals who hold the prestigious International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) certification and providing a lactation program for breastfeeding families.

Marin Skariah, MSN, FNP-BC, RNC-MNN, C-EFM, IBCLC, and Chair of the Board of IBLCE, recently stated, “Institutions that are awarded the IBCLC Care Award have dedicated their efforts to promote and provide a lactation program that makes expert assistance available when the breastfeeding family needs it. Through the presentation of this Award, IBLCE honors the work of IBCLCs around the world as they strive to advance global public health by providing expert lactation care to families and by promoting breastfeeding care to other healthcare professionals through advocacy and training.”

IBCLCs focus on preventive care, so they are available during pregnancy to assess and provide information on how to successfully assist with breastfeeding. They continue that assistance after the baby is born by helping families overcome breastfeeding challenges, providing accurate information, and continuing to support them as their baby grows. They assist families returning to work or school, help families in more unusual situations such as breastfeeding more than one baby or nursing a sick or premature infant, and help train nursing staff to manage basic breastfeeding care.

As allied health care professionals with the leading internationally recognized certification for professional lactation services, IBCLC professionals work in hospitals and birthing centers, clinics, public health agencies, private practice, community settings, government agencies, and in research. There are currently more than 33,400 such professionals in 125 countries and territories worldwide that are IBCLCs (www.iblce.org). The IBCLC certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).  NCCA accreditation represents a mark of quality for certification program.

In addition to finding IBCLC professionals at Nathan Littauer Hospital, families can also find an IBCLC near them by visiting www.ilca.org. Follow the “Find a Lactation Consultant” link and search for an IBCLC by postal code, city and state, or country.   

For more information on Littauer’s Lactation Services, or the Lactation Care Team, visit their website at For more information about the IBCLC Care Award program, contact IBLCE at award@iblce.org.   

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About Nathan Littauer

Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve.  More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.

Portable pods provide comfort to breastfeeding moms

Here’s a report from News Channel 13 featuring Littauer’s Lactation Consultant, Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, OSC:

quinlan_news13

Portable pods provide comfort to breastfeeding moms

August 03, 2017 06:11 PM

A number of events have been held around the Capital Region to commemorate “World Breastfeeding Awareness Week,” including at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville. A popular item at that event was the Mamava.

“Moms are meant to breast feed. Babies can breastfeed,” pointed out Nancy Quinlan, an international board certified lactation consultant at Nathan Littauer Hospital.

She admits it’s not always convenient to do so.

Enter the Mamava, which in Spanish means “moms on the go.” These portable pods – lactation suites as the company calls them, that can be set up anywhere. They provide moms a clean, safe and private place to breast feed and also pump, which can often be a challenge.

“A way to pump in public and be comfortable and not have to be in your car, where it’s steaming hot or anything like that,” noted Melaine Neelis, a mom.

“Because with a pump it’s hard to hide everything. Because you kind of have to have your breast exposed, you have to set up the pump,” acknowledged Quinlan.

Lack of privacy to pump and unsanitary sites designated for breastfeeding work against efforts to increase breastfeeding. The research is clear, not only is breastfeeding economical for families, it improves the health of both baby and mom. In addition, for working moms, having a place to breastfeed and/or pump is a win for all.

“There’s data that supports that they go back to work and they’re happier going back to work ‘cause they have a place to go,” pointed out Lisa Martone with Mamava.

That’s part of the Mamava appeal. There are 285 Mamavas in the United States. Nathan Littauer Hospital is hoping to encourage others to consider using them to support breastfeeding moms.

Inflatable units can be rented for $150 a day for specific events like concerts and fairs.

There are also standalone units of varying size that organizations can purchase to accommodate staff or customers.

Bottom line is to normalize breastfeeding and make it more accessible

Nancy Quinlan receives Goodwill Award for 4th-quarter

Goodwill Award 4th Quarter_8

GLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (February 2, 2017) – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home honored Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC OSC, with the 2016 fourth-quarter Goodwill Award. Quinlan is a lactation consultant with the Nathan Littauer Hospital Birthing Center. She was presented the award by Littauer President and CEO, Laurence E. Kelly before a gathering of her peers.

“Nancy has made a real difference in the short time she has been at Littauer,” said Kelly. “Whoever you are, you will receive the best Nancy has to offer.”

Quinlan’s outstanding compassion has been celebrated with hundreds of new mothers.

“I am so honored. I love what I do. I feel like I make a difference, and like everyone is an extension of my family,” said Quinlan. “I’m here to stay.”

Recipients for the award are nominated by NLH employees, providers or patients and submitted to the Goodwill Committee. They are selected in a blind format.

Quinlan received a plaque and a check along with her special honor.

About Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home

Nathan Littauer Hospital and Family of Health Services serves Fulton, Montgomery, and Hamilton counties in upstate New York with a full-service, 74-bed acute care hospital, nine primary care centers, a nursing home and a community education center. The hospital was founded in 1894 and has 1,000 employees. Littauer’s medical staff provides well over 100,000 patient encounters each year. For more information, please visit www.nlh.org.

Littauer celebrates National Breast Feeding Week with special event

Baby Kyle Fetterly who flourished his first year on breast milk after consultation sessions at Nathan Littauer Hospital

Baby Kyle Fetterly who flourished his first year on breast milk after consultation sessions at Nathan Littauer Hospital

Littauer’s Lactation Consultant Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, left, greets one of the many mothers and young babies she has consulted with about breast feeding

Littauer’s Lactation Consultant Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, left, greets one of the many mothers and young babies she has consulted with about breast feeding

GLOVERSVILLE – On Wednesday, Aug. 3, Littauer celebrated (Aug. 1 through 7) with a reception for breast feeding supporters and new and expectant moms with families. Over 75 were in attendance for the event which offered refreshments and an opportunity for mothers, babies and families to socialize and share stories.

The event was hosted by Littauer’s Lactation Consultant Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC. Littauer’s lactation services allows for a comfortable place for breastfeeding and pregnant families to get professional breastfeeding support, check baby’s weight and milk intake, and connect to community resources.

Quinlan is a Registered Nurse and an International Breastfeeding Certified Lactation Consultant at Littauer. She has helped countless new mothers nurse their babies with breastfeeding classes or one-on-one consultations. By June, Qunlan had already celebrated 50 consultations for the year at Nathan Littauer Hospital.

“Breastfeeding is the one gift that only a mom can give her baby that will have a lifelong effect on them both,” said Quinlan. “Breast milk keeps your baby healthy and breastfeeding keeps the mother healthy.”

“For a small hospital we have a dedicated staff that works timelessly to help support moms who want to breastfeed,” said Littauer VP of Communications and Public Relations, Cheryl McGrattan. “There are many families who have been impacted by our comprehensive breastfeeding services.”

Kelly Fetterlyis a mom of a healthy baby boy named Kyle who is soon to be a one-year old. She has managed to give her son breast milk for his entire first year. This is not so unusual, except that Fetterly has never nursed. Kyle was born pre-mature and was in a neo-natal intensive care unit for 27 hours before she was able to try nursing him. For reasons unknown, Kyle never latched with his mother for feedings.

Determined to give her baby the healthiest start to life that she could, Fetterly was referred to and met with Quinlan at Nathan Littauer Hospital. Together they worked out a plan and Fetterly managed to pump milk for every feeding in Kyle’s first year.

“I don’t know what I would have done without Nancy, she has been emotional reassurance every step of the way,” said Fetterly. “Her patience, time, and advice have made the difference. I think of Nancy as a close friend now, and Kyle adores her.”

This year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme, “Breastfeeding: A Key to Sustainable Development,” was about how breastfeeding is a key element in getting us to think about how to value our wellbeing from the very start of life, how to respect each other, and to care for the world we share.