Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, March 20, 2014
(BEDFORD) - The Indiana Chapter of the March of Dimes is advancing maternal and infant health in Bedford.
The Obstetrician and Gynecology Unit at St. Vincent Dunn Hospital was awarded a $450 grant from the March of Dimes.
"In Bedford, a review of state and local health statistics and service gaps determined that mothers and babies would benefit from their nurses having in-depth knowledge of breast feeding practices" said Division Director, Nikki Simpson. "We are pleased to support locally focused efforts to help babies be born healthy."
Simpson added the mission of March of Dimes is to help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies.
St. Vincent Dunn Hospital will use the funds to purchase March of Dimes modules to assist in educating the nursing staff on proper breast feeding practices.
"We want to strengthen the support to our families to increase healthy feeding for all our babies and to see the number of babies breastfed at birth and throughout the first year increased," says . Sandra Brown, BSN, RN, IBCLC who received the international board certified lactation consultant in 2012. "The health benefits for babies and for moms are numerous and affect the family, workplace, community and nation."
Brown added breastfed babies have lower rates of infection, obesity, diabetes, severe allergies and the list continues to increase as health officials learn more.
"Breastfeeding classes, nursing support, a lactation counselor and physicians who encourage breastfeeding already provide a positive environment in assisting families at St Vincent Dunn," Brown added. "The goal is to continue to provide evidenced-based consistent personal care to all our patients. The MOD modules will be valuable in meeting those goals."
Brown is available to patients during hospital stays and by phone or appointment after discharge.
In addition to awarding $30 million for biomedical research each year nationally, the March of Dimes also gives financial support to initiate community-based projects that hold promise to help reduce birth defects and infant mortality by addressing particular local needs.
Residents can help by donating to the March of Dimes or participating by gathering a team and join the staff at in the March for Babies walk on Sunday April 27 at the Bedford National Guard Armory.
The staff at SuperOldies 105.5 WQRK, invites the Bedford community to join us, Sunday, April 27th, at the National Guard Armory for the annual March for Babies walk. To join or to create a team visit www.marchforbabies.org. If you can't participate in the walk, you can drop off a donation at the station at 424 Heltonville Road.
March for Babies event:
WHEN: Sunday, April 27th (12:30 registration; 1 p.m. opening ceremonies)
WHERE: Bedford Natioal Guard Armory
WHY: Approximately 1,704 babies will enter the world this week in Indiana. 13.2% of those babies will be born too soon.
HOW: go to www.marchforbabies.org to register as a walker.
March for Babies National Facts
The Goal: One day, every baby will be born bealthy. But teams have to walk to reach that goal.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in, 2014--The Wabash Valley Division of the 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies.
More information is available on the March of Dimes web sites at www.modimes.org and www.nacersano.org or by calling (812) 234-2736 or (800) 941-9255.
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