The Mon Health Family Birth Center at Mon Health Medical Center offers perinatal education classes for new and expecting families throughout the year. During World Breastfeeding Week, the Mon Health Perinatal Education Program is highlighting its breastfeeding classes and other resources for families.
World Breastfeeding Week is annually celebrated from Aug. 1-7 and was started in 1992 to generate public awareness and support for breastfeeding. As a designated Baby-Friendly USA hospital, Mon Health Medical Center adheres to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. These standards are built on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a set of evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund for optimal infant feeding support in the first days of a newborn’s life.
Although breastfeeding is natural, it is a learned skill for both mother and baby. Through the Perinatal Education Program, Mon Health offers breastfeeding classes to educate mothers and families on the important skills and information useful for successful breastfeeding.
In addition to breastfeeding classes, the Mon Health Perinatal Education Program offers a four-week labor and birth series, a sibling class, Baby Basics 101 class and infant CPR classes.
Each of these classes is open to anyone who wishes to participate. Grandparents and extended family members are also welcome and encouraged to take the CPR and Baby Basics 101 classes.
“These classes are important because they give families an idea of childbirth options they may see at our Family Birth Center vs. the information they get on social media that may not be as accurate. Plus, they solidify that baby will be coming soon, which is always exciting,” said Pamela Poe, perinatal education coordinator at the Mon Health Medical Center Family Birth Center. “Classes tend to help families have a better overall experience and allow them to actively participate in their care alongside their care team. At Mon Health, we not only prioritize safety, but listening to our patients and their goals because their childbirth experience really does matter.”
