Portable pods provide comfort to breastfeeding moms

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:

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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

Littauer’s 21st “Images of a Woman” Women’s Wellness Conference is a healthy tradition

HealthLink Littauer is hosting its 21st annual Women’s Wellness Conference, “Images of a Woman,” on Wednesday, August 9 at the Holiday Inn, 308 N. Comrie Ave., Johnstown. Two sessions are being offered: noon to 2:30 p.m. and 6 to 8:30 p.m. This highly anticipated women’s conference has become a tradition in the community sharing good health for over 20 years.

HealthLink Littauer is pleased to present Arsyl De Jesus, M.D. as the keynote speaker for this special event. Dr. De Jesus is a radiation oncologist with New York Oncology Hematology in Amsterdam.  She will be sharing a very candid point of view in her presentation – “Attitude of Gratitude: Confessions of an Oncology Doctor.”

Arsyl De Jesus, M.D. , Oncologist

Arsyl De Jesus, M.D. , Oncologist

“I am pleased to have this opportunity to share a most personal and poignant side of cancer and cancer care. As a radiation oncologist, I am faced with pain, suffering and negativity every day,” states Dr. De Jesus. “I believe that we can lift ourselves and others when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate an attitude of gratitude. I hope that by showing them how I cope with the challenges of caring for the sick, how I manage my day to day, I will be able to enlighten and inspire others.”

Included at the event will be various vendors, massage therapy, reflexology, raffles and a buffet style meal. Seats are still available for this highly-anticipated woman’s conference, but call now to secure your seat. Tickets are $35. You can reserve by visiting HealthLink Littauer at 2 Colonial Court in Johnstown or by calling (518) 736-1120.

 

Yellow Dot Program provides first responders with critical information

GLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (April 25, 2017) –Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home and the Fulton County Sheriffs’ Office have announced a partnership to bring the New York State Sheriffs’ Association’s Yellow Dot Program to Fulton County.

Yellow Dot is a free program designed to help first responders provide life-saving medical attention during the first “golden hour” after a crash or other emergency.

The Yellow Dot kit contains a medical information card and a Yellow Dot decal. Participants complete the card, attach a recent photo, place it in the glove compartment of their vehicle and place the Yellow Dot decal on the rear driver’s side window, and at their home’s main entry door. First responders arriving at the scene of an emergency will be alerted by the Yellow Dot decal to look for the medical information card in the glove compartment, or in the home’s freezer.

“If an individual is involved in an accident or medical emergency, first responders will see the yellow dot and locate the medical packet in either the glove box or freezer in the home,’ said Fulton County Sheriff Richard C. Giardino. “While the freezer seems unusual, the program uses one set location to insure all individual’s information can be found quickly, rather than people leaving the medical packet anywhere they want.”

Yellow Dot kits will be distributed through Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing upon discharge.

“The Nathan Littauer Foundation, the charitable arm of Nathan Littauer Hospital, supports this project to increase patient’s safety in their homes and vehicles,” added Geoffrey Peck, Vice President, Executive Director/Nathan Littauer Foundation.

Funded by the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, the Yellow Dot Program is a free service available to individuals of all ages. In Fulton County, Yellow Dot kits will be available through the Fulton County Sheriffs’ Office. For information about the Yellow Dot Program, or to schedule a community presentation, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 518-736-2100. Additional information is available at http://nysheriffs.org/yellowdot.

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March Vital Signs

The March Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home newsletter Vital Signs is now available here!

March 2017 Vital Signs

Sew Busy Quilt Guild recognizes Littauer baby

Gloversville Sew Busy Quilt Guild quilters Joanne Gasner, left, and Nancy Frank hold up a quilt they presented to Littauer newborn Asher Killian Betters, together with his mother Jackie Betters. The hand-crafted quilt was specially made for National Quilting Day

Gloversville Sew Busy Quilt Guild quilters Joanne Gasner, left, and Nancy Frank hold up a quilt they presented to Littauer newborn Asher Killian Betters, together with his mother Jackie Betters. The hand-crafted quilt was specially made for National Quilting Day

GLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (March 20, 2017) – In honor of National Quilting Day, the Gloversville Sew Busy Quilt Guild recognized Littauer’s Birthing Center newborn Asher Killian Betters with a hand-crafted quilt. Asher, the son of Jackie Betters and Brady Guy of Gloversville was born on March 18, at 10:11 p.m., weighing 8 lbs. He joins a sister Trinity, 7 years-old.

“This is beautiful,” said Jackie Betters, as she expressed her thanks. “The quilt matches perfectly with the baby’s nursery theme.”

Representing the Sew Busy Quilt Guild were quilters Nancy Frank and Joanne Gasner. For the past 9 years, the organization has been donating quilts to the Littauer baby born closest to National Quilting Day. National Quilting Day takes place annually on the third Saturday in March. Baby Asher happened to be born exactly on this year’s date.

“This is a labor of love for us,” said Nancy Frank. “We enjoy this special project every year.”

The Sew Busy Quilt Guild meets on the third Monday of the month at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Gloversville, and holds a sit and sew session every second Monday.