St. Rose Exceeds Las Vegas Lactation Consultant Average

Las Vegas Rated Second Lowest in National Survey

(HENDERSON, NV, July 28, 2008) - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals is committed to helping new mothers in the Las Vegas valley who wish to breastfeed as is evident in the hospital system’s higher ratio of lactation consultants for every birth (1:840 ratio) as compared to the Las Vegas average (1:2,500)*.

In a list published by Fit Pregnancy last fall, Las Vegas received an F+ grade for breastfeeding support stating that the city "has only 4 lactation consultants for every 10,000 live births (a 1:2,500 ratio), the 2nd lowest in the survey. The average city in the survey had 23 lactation consultants per 10,000 live births."

Rod Davis, president, St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, says "St. Rose and the Barbara Greenspun WomensCare Centers of Excellence are committed to the highest standards in healthcare which includes educating, encouraging and supporting mothers who wish to breastfeed their babies. Our consultants provide individualized, compassionate attention and education to new mothers in order to foster the best possible start for both the mother and her baby."

According to Holly Lyman, director, Barbara Greenspun WomensCare Centers of Excellence, "St. Rose Dominican Hospitals has five full-time Board Certified lactation consultants for 4,200 annual births (a 1:840 ratio) which makes our ratio far higher than the Las Vegas average. The hospital also employs 15 lactation counselors and dozens of Maternal Child Care and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses who are also trained as lactation counselors, so our ratio is actually much higher."

The Barbara Greenspun WomensCare Centers of Excellence offer a variety of breastfeeding services:

• Prenatal Classes - Classes include a specific segment on the benefits of breastfeeding, breastfeeding tips and techniques and support services.
  
• Lactation Consultants and Counselors - Make daily hospital rounds with a goal of meeting and greeting every new mother and providing support.
  
• Breastfeeding Help Line - Provides mothers, both in the hospital and at home, a phone number (616-4908) to call when the need emotional support or guidance on a breastfeeding issue.
  
• One-on-One Consultations and Follow Up Care - Lactation consultants or counselors are available for reasonable fees to all breastfeeding mothers for support after the baby arrives.
  
• New Mommy Mixers - Weekly get-togethers facilitated by lactation counselors allow mothers to share, support and ask questions of professionals.
  
• La Leche League - Brings breastfeeding mothers together to provide mutual support.
  
• Baby Weigh Stations - Free baby weight checks.
  
• Breastfeeding Boutique - Offers supplies and accessories such as nursing bras and breast pump rentals at both WomensCare Center locations.
  
  * 2007 statistics.