Johnstown teachers support NLH with 400 books

Johnstown teachers support NLH with 400 books

: NLH Birthing Center Ward Clerk, Lindsay Barter, left, Johnstown Teachers Assoc. Rep/Chairperson, Gloria Bruno, NLH Birthing Center Ward Clerk, Kristen Green, and NLH Lactation Consultant , Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, OSC.

GLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (March 13, 2018)  – The Johnstown Teachers Association recently donated 400 books to the Nathan Littauer Hospital Birthing Center, as a part of their Community Outreach Program. Research shows that reading aloud to children is imperative for cognitive growth. And, it’s never too early to start reading to your child. Even newborns love to hear the rhythm and inflection of the human voice. The more you read to a baby, the more their brain will grow.

The books are distributed to new mothers at The Birthing Center to encourage reading from the start. In the photo are: NLH Birthing Center Ward Clerk, Lindsay Barter, left, Johnstown Teachers Assoc. Rep/Chairperson, Gloria Bruno, NLH Birthing Center Ward Clerk, Kristen Green, and NLH Lactation Consultant , Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, OSC.

NLH is now a depot for the NYS Milk Bank

Littauer Radiologic Technologist, Amanda Fosman with infant daughter Aria, donates excess breastmilk to Littauer's Milk Depot

Littauer Radiologic Technologist, Amanda Fosman with infant daughter Aria, donates excess breastmilk to Littauer’s Milk Depot

GLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (October 23, 2017) – Nathan Littauer Hospital would like to announce a new partnership with the New York State Milk Bank. According to Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, OSC, the Littauer’s Birthing Center lactation consultant, The Birthing Center at Littauer is now one of the newest, licensed milk depots in the state.

“NLH has always supported breast feeding, in a myriad of ways and now we are very excited about this leap forward,” said Quinlan. “We are now a milk depot for the NYS Milk Bank. This new chapter will improve awareness while bringing in new donor mothers for much-needed donor milk.”

“When a woman donates their breast milk to help another baby, the gesture is beyond generous. It strikes at the core of what our community needs most: helping babies get the best start in life,” added Littauer VP of Marketing and Communication, Cheryl McGrattan. “Nathan Littauer is making that process easier as we can now collect store and ship donor milk to the NYS Milk Bank where it will be processed and distributed where it is most-needed.”

Donors will go through a required screening process. Once approved, mothers can freeze the extra milk their babies don’t need and bring it to the Littauer depot, located in The Birthing Center at the hospital.

Frozen milk soon arrives at the NYS Milk Bank, where it is logged in with a sophisticated tracking system. It is then thawed, analyzed, packaged in tamper-resistant bottles, pasteurized and tested for bacteria. Next, donor milk is dispensed by physician prescription to hospitals and NICUs. Some are also dispensed by physician prescription to medically needy babies at home.

Interestingly, one method of delivery is made by the biker group Sirens, also known as the Milk Riders. They deliver much needed breastmilk throughout the New Your City. This group of dedicated riders will be present at Nathan Littauer Hospital for the inaugural delivery. Generally, Littauer will use another method of transport to deliver breastmilk to the NYS Milk Bank.

Littauer’s partnership with the NYS Milk Bank is not only unique, but it is also essential for mothers who would like to donate excess breastmilk. This milk is important to save the lives and improve the health outcomes of vulnerably ill or premature babies.

“We have gotten reports that our donated breastmilk has helped hurricane impacted babies in the U.S.” added McGrattan.

For more information on the Littauer Milk Bank Depot, or to learn more about becoming a donor, please contact Nancy Quinlan at (518) 775-4101 or email nquinlan@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