Robertson certified to counsel moms for breastfeeding success


SIOUX CENTER � Erica Robertson has developed a passion for obstetrics and newborn care since becoming a nurse.

Therefore, she was excited to be offered the opportunity to receive training to become a certified lactation counselor for Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center.

Erica Robertson, a registered nurse at
Promise Community Health Center in
Sioux Center, has earned certification
as a lactation counselor. She will use
her training to enhance services to
women in Promise's prenatal program.
With that certification, Robertson will enhance the health center�s prenatal program.

�Promise realized the need for increased lactation support and education,� she said. �If a parent decides breastfeeding is the feeding option they want to pursue, it is a big commitment that can be overwhelming at times. We want to optimize their ability to be successful.�

To earn certification, Robertson took a 45-hour, one-week course through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice. The course, which was offered via the Healthy Children Project, included instruction time, latch assessments and counseling competency exercises. At the end of the course, she had to pass a certification exam.

She now is eager to put what she learned into practice.

�The training has given me the knowledge needed to feel confident in helping parents realize and achieve their breastfeeding goals,�she said. �I can counsel patients on the importance of breastfeeding, help them determine if breastfeeding is the best option for them and their baby, assist with breastfeeding after their baby is born and help troubleshoot problems that arise.�

Robertson, who has served as a registered nurse at Promise since June 2014, said the health center has many goals with the project. Initially, the prenatal team will use her as a counselor for moms � answering questions and giving information to them � at a couple of their prenatal appointments before their baby is born.

�Our prenatal team already does a great job at supporting parents with their breastfeeding questions,� she said. �By having a counselor meet with them at particular visits, we can be more intentional about the education.�

She also will contact home-birth moms within 24 hours of delivery � a critical time for breastfeeding success. All parents will be given the option to call whenever questions or concerns about breastfeeding come up, including after regular business hours for urgent concerns.

�We want parents to know help is available, and they aren�t alone in this journey,� she said. �Babies deserve the best nutritional support possible, and parents deserve optimal breastfeeding support to ensure their goals are met with breastfeeding.�

Promise Community Health Center of Sioux Center is the only Federally Qualified Health Center serving the far northwest corner of Iowa. Promise provides medical, prenatal, dental, vision and behavioral health services. To learn more, visit www.promisechc.org and watch this video. To read more Promise news, see Promise's news blog at promisechcnews.blogspot.com and the Promise midwives' blog, Wonderfully Made!, at promisechcmidwives.blogspot.com.


AWARENESS MONTH:
August is National Breastfeeding Month. To learn more, visit: www.usbreastfeeding.org/nbm.

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