Plea to Newman
Sharae Crouch, Emporia
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
TWO OF THE greatest joys of my life are having my two children, my daughter, Lenia, and my son, Brady. Accompanying those joys was the blessing that I was able to successfully breastfeed them for the first year of their lives.
I know I could not have done this on my own and I am grateful to Gina Slayden, lactation consultant at Newman Regional Health, for her expertise she used to teach me how to nurse my children. Her help was essential to my success in breastfeeding and that is why I was deeply saddened to learn of the hospital’s decision to dramatically reduce her availability hours and to possibly eliminate this program altogether.
Breast-feeding is full of many wonderful moments between mother and child, but it is hard and takes an amazing amount of commitment. Having a free expert to learn proper technique from as well as to go to for emotional support is essential for new moms.
The research is overwhelming concerning the benefits of breast-feeding for both the child and the mother and Gina allowed me to give this priceless gift to my children. I know I have given them the best start possible for their lives and have given them health benefits they can receive only from breast milk as well as given me long term health benefits too.
I know countless numbers of women in Emporia who have benefited from Gina’s expertise and support and I ask the hospital to reconsider removing a lactation consultant and breastfeeding support group from the budget. I understand that times are tough and difficult decisions must be made, but please make it a last resort to cut a service that gives mothers and babies the best possible start, thereby ensuring a healthier world for us all in the future.
Sharae Crouch
Emporia
mHale (anonymous) says...
I agree. I have a 10 month old and while I was not able to nurse very long I did find the service and Gina a big help.
I know budgets are tight but I know there is no way that I could have paid to get this help. And if I have another baby I would like that help again. Being able to nurse is a beautiful gift and I miss it.
I hope that you (Newmans) will keep this service available so that other women can experience this joy.
March 25, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
singitcallie (anonymous) says...
Thank you Sharae for bringing this to everyones attention. I know that had it not been for Gina... I would not have continued to nurse my daughter. She not only helped me get through the "trying times" that breast feeding brings on, but she also helped me to find a daycare for my daughter. And any parent that works outside of the home knows how huge of a blessing that is!!!
I am truly grateful that I had my daughter at Newman before these changes were made.
I hope that you (Newman Hospital) will take this article into consideration... cutting Gina's hours is a big loss for the mothers of Lyon County!
Callie Agler
March 25, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KellyD (anonymous) says...
Where are you people getting all your facts from?????
March 25, 2009 at 5 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporiateacher (anonymous) says...
Thank you Sharae! I totally agree. Had it not been for Gina I probably would have quite breastfeeding my first son Gabe only 2 days after leaving the hospital. Breastfeeding is actually a hard thing to learn for some people. Thank you so much Gina for your help
Tina Barrett
March 25, 2009 at 6:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
1469 (anonymous) says...
These facts are true and I thank Sharae for bringing them out to the public so the public will know that not only are the lives of the employees being affected but the lives of those they touch on daily basis.
March 25, 2009 at 8:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justamom2 (anonymous) says...
The hospital still has a lactation consultant and a breastfeeding clinic. They did have to cut the hours but thank goodness they are still offering the service.
March 25, 2009 at 9:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kbloom (anonymous) says...
I have also heard of the drastic cuts made by Newman Regional and would like to thank Sharae for bringing it to the public. Gina's expertise and availability were crucial to the success I had nursing my little guy. We wouldn't have lasted two days without her support and encouragment. She was available in the morning or afternoon and provided a group in the evening to answer questions, provide peace of mind and reassurance to a nervous mother who wanted to provide the very best for her new son. Reducing her hours has been a tremendous loss and it would be compounded to continue to cut her hours.
Kendra Bloomquist
March 26, 2009 at 9:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )