Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

New Breastfeeding Program

The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital recently developed a new breastfeeding program at its Alice T. Miner Women & Children's Center. This program benefits expectant and new parents as they receive education on breastfeeding and experience its health benefits for both mothers and children. Part of the program’s services include:

• A support network facilitated by community partners and staff to share breastfeeding education to expectant parents and patients in the postpartum unit.
• Consultation via telephone and office visits with two international board certified lactation consultants (IBCLC) at an outpatient lactation clinic.
• A comfortable environment for new moms to interact with each other and breastfeed at a newly opened community center, Nature’s Way Baby Café.

Because of this program, more babies born at the hospital are being exposed to breastfeeding within the first couple hours of life, encouraging more mothers to continue breastfeeding at home as well.

This case study is part of the HANYS Triple Aim series highlighting how New York hospitals are improving health, enhancing quality and reducing costs. Hospitals, nursing homes, and home care agencies across New York state are pursuing the Triple Aim. In spite of fiscal constraints, its members are embracing the challenge of transforming health care and are implementing new and innovative approaches to delivery.