Director of Perinatal and Pediatric Nursing, Jean Dorsey Cramer, M.S., R.N., says, “We know, and scientific studies support the fact that, a mother’s milk is best for newborn babies because it has antibodies in it to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses.  This survey tells us we’re doing a pretty good job of helping mothers be as successful as they can be at breastfeeding, and it also tells us where we can further improve based on the best available science and evidence.” Cramer gives much of the credit for Bassett’s performance to the Birthing Center’s nursing staff, who she says often spend hours at a time with new mothers and their babies in support of breastfeeding.

The CDC’s survey looks at such things as: whether the newborn is placed skin-to-skin with the mother, allowing uninterrupted time for breastfeeding; how much assistance and support is offered to the breastfeeding mother and infant; the amount of support provided after mother and baby have been discharged from the birthing center, and the amount of staff training provided in infant feeding care.

According to the CDC, recent studies show that babies who are not exclusively breastfed for six months are more likely to develop a wide range of infectious diseases including ear infections, diarrhea and respiratory illnesses.  For that reason, the encouragement and support of breastfeeding at hospitals and birth centers is viewed as a strategy to improve maternity care practices.

The Birthing Center at Bassett has four certified lactation consultants on staff and Pediatrics has two certified lactation consultants, so there is a high level of expertise available virtually around-the-clock. In addition, there is a team approach at Bassett because the commitment to breastfeeding is shared by the obstetricians, pediatricians, nurse-midwives and nurses.                                   

Bassett Healthcare

Bassett Healthcare is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and a leading provider of health services in the central New York region. Bassett offers quality primary and specialty care services targeted to address this region’s health care needs. For more information about Bassett, visit www.bassett.org.