Key points from today’s guests:
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System; executive vice chancellor, The University of Kansas Medical Center
- Breastfeeding is extremely important for both babies and mothers.
- The statistic that one out of four mothers are back to work two weeks after delivery is staggering.
- It is clear that breastfeeding helps you live long and prosper.
Dr. Lovya George, neonatologist; medical director, NICU, The University of Kansas Health System
- Based on guidelines from the American Academy of Family Practice, AAP, ACOG, WHO, and UNICEF, breastfeeding is recommended exclusively for the first six months and continued breastfeeding with complementary foods until at least one year and up to two years.
- Barriers include lack of education and support.
- The CDC’s 2020 report showed about 85 percent initiation, but only 25 percent exclusive breastfeeding at six months.
- Breast milk offers unique benefits, such as tailored antibodies. Donor milk remains superior to formula.
- There is a need for societal and workplace support for breastfeeding mothers. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative aims to support breastfeeding families by upholding evidence-based practices.
- Promoting and supporting breastfeeding is one of the most low-cost, but high-return investments in public health.
Michelle Finn, lactation consultant; lactation team lead, The University of Kansas Health System
- It is important to set realistic goals and provide support to breastfeeding mothers.
- Breastfeeding a newborn and breastfeeding an older child is very different and families need to be educated on those differences.
- The lactation team at The University of Kansas Health System provides individualized support to breastfeeding families.
- Mothers benefit from reduced risks of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis.
- The longer the duration of breastfeeding, the greater the risk reduction for these conditions.
Ashley Bartz, mother
- Ashley’s son was born at 34 weeks and she was able to breastfeed him in the NICU at The University of Kansas Health System because they offer private rooms.
- Not only is she breastfeeding her son now, she is also donating breastmilk to the Oklahoma Milk Bank, who redistributes breastmilk to other hospitals and families in need.
- Ashley is proud to be able to help others by donating.
- She said it is important to have a supportive workplace and spouse.
Infectious Disease Updates
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, Infection Prevention & Control, The University of Kansas Health System
- Overall, the national numbers for flu, RSV, and COVID are low, but there are some increases in flu activity nationwide.
- As we get further into respiratory virus season, there will be more testing to keep an eye on the percent positives.
- For adults 60 and over, there is the RSV vaccine that will help protect you from hospitalization and severe disease.
- This is the lowest we’ve seen COVID in November/December in the last 3-4 years.
Thursday, Dec. 5 at 8 a.m. is the next All Things Heart. What began as a day of bowling for one couple ended with two ambulance rides and two surgeons from two different specialties to save one man’s life.
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