Aspirus St. Luke's Recognized as Breastfeeding Friendly Business

St. Luke’s has been recognized as a breastfeeding friendly business by the Northland Breastfeeding Coalition.

In order to be selected by the coalition as a breastfeeding friendly business, a business must have flexible scheduling that allows time for expressing milk, must have access to a private location that is not a bathroom for expressing milk, and have access to a clean and nearby water source and sink for washing equipment.

“Providing all breastfeeding mothers a private area for milk expression at work or away from their baby is essential for them to continue to be successful at nursing,” said St. Luke’s Maternal Child Health Nurse Manager Lori Swanson. “We want to do everything we can to ensure moms who are visitors to St. Luke’s and employees feel supported in their effort to maintain lactation.” Swanson added, “It only makes sense to be a business that recognizes the importance to provide support to any mom who is nursing. Being a Breastfeeding Friendly Business keeps our employees and their children happier and healthier.”

Any mom who needs a private and comfortable location to express milk is welcome to utilize the Breastfeeding Room at St. Luke’s Hospital located on the first floor. This room has 3 private pumping stations along with a couch for nursing moms, changing table and bathroom.

St. Luke’s patients receive lactation support and education in the hospital, along with free and unlimited AfterCare Clinic visits after discharge. The AfterCare clinic is staffed with lactation-certified registered nurses who have helped thousands of breast and formula-feeding moms. St. Luke’s also offers a free Breastfeeding Support Group to any nursing mom.

For more information on the Northland Breastfeeding Coalition you can visit their website at https://sites.google.com/site/northlandbfcoalition/