Hospital Offers Baby Weigh-in 

Station For Breastfeeding Moms

ROME – Although they know breast milk is nature’s best food, breastfeeding moms often worry if their newborn is getting enough to eat.

To help give new mothers peace of mind and monitor their baby’s health, Rome Memorial Hospital has established a new baby weigh-in station in the Maternity Department on the fourth floor. The hospital’s lactation consultant, Judy Bobrek, R.N., is available 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Thursdays to weigh newborns, answer questions and offer encouragement to breastfeeding mothers.

"Most of today’s new mothers do not have role models to help them and encourage them to breastfeed," said Virginia Seward, R.N., lactation coordinator. Although breastfeeding is natural, it doesn’t always come easily. Both mom and her newborn have to learn proper technique.

"Many breastfeeding mothers are afraid that their newborns are not getting enough milk because they can’t measure it," she said. "At the weigh-in station, we can weigh your baby to see that he or she is gaining those precious ounces."

The benefits of breastfeeding are many. For mom there’s the convenience of not having to prepare formula or wash bottles. Breastfeeding saves the family about $1,500 in formula costs a year. Mothers who breastfeed also lose their extra "pregnancy pounds" more easily.

But, the benefits for mom pale in comparison to what her baby gains. Breast milk is naturally fortified with antibodies that protects the newborn from certain infections and special proteins that help with brain development. There’s a decreased risk of allergies and constipation with breast milk and breastfed babies have a lower incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and childhood cancers.

At Rome Memorial Hospital, every new mother receives a Medela breast pump and the names and phone numbers of resource people she can contact if she has questions when she gets home. New mothers also get reassurance through the department’s callback system. A few days after discharge, new moms get a call from the Maternity Department to see how things are going.

"The weigh-in station will give new mothers one more tool to help them during those first few weeks of motherhood," Mrs. Seward said.

Appointments for the weigh-in station will be made at the time of discharge. For more information, please call 338-7124.