Angela Latter, a recent graduate of the Master of Science in Nursing – Community/Public Health Nursing program, has worked with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children to facilitate a collaboration between WIC and St. Vincent Hospital. This partnership gives full lactation support to new mothers and infants to provide long-term health benefits to both women and their children. It also promotes healthy nutrition to the underserved population of Worcester County.
She also was an integral part of researching, planning, implementation and facilitation of the Baby Café Breastfeeding Support Group at St. Vincent Hospital, fulfilling Step 10 of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative for Breastfeeding, established by the World Health Organization. This professionally facilitated support group offers evidence-based education while incorporating peer support.
Evidence shows that the combination of this type of support group is highly effective in increasing breastfeeding rates and exclusivity up to one year from birth, positively contributing to the goals of Healthy People 2020. Other benefits to the participants include zero cost; social interaction, which promotes community connection; elimination of cultural barriers to breastfeeding education and community connections; and decreasing health-care costs.
Associate Dean of Nursing Stephanie Chalupka, Ed.D., recently joined her at St. Vincent Hospital to promote the support group.