Breastfeeding is an effective way to help reduce infant illness, lower infant mortality and ensure a child's healthier future. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends mothers breastfeed their babies for at least 12 months.

But in the beginning, breastfeeding can be a difficult, and frustrating, process for new mothers and babies to learn. In fact, according to a 1997 South Dakota Department of Health survey, nearly 40% of new mothers never breastfed their babies. That's where Rapid City Regional Hospital's new Lactation Consultants — Nan Fitzgerald, RNC, Molly Meehan-Rasby, RNC, BSN, and Nancy Michlitsch, RN, BSN — step in.

"Lack of confidence is the number one reason mothers stop breastfeeding," says Nan. "Dedicated information and guidance is often needed to help mothers and their babies learn the process of breastfeeding."

The three nurses share the Lactation Consultant responsibilities in addition to their roles as nurses. Nan and Molly work in Regional Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Nancy works in the Postpartum Unit. They educate the Maternal/Child staff about breastfeeding procedures and principles to ensure consistency. They also meet with new mothers and babies to provide assistance.

"Our role is really to support the bedside nurse. They don't often have big blocks of time to sit with new mothers and help them learn breastfeeding," Molly says. "New mothers are very tired, and very vulnerable. It's an intimate time that requires a gentle touch."

Molly, Nan and Nancy are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants. To be eligible for certification, a nurse must complete 30 hours of continuing education in breastfeeding and have more than 2,000 hours of experience helping mothers breastfeed.

The three stress that community support is also vital. A high percentage of working mothers stop breastfeeding because of the difficulties involved. Regional Hospital's Lactation Consultants, in partnership with the South Dakota Breastfeeding Coalition, are working to identify local businesses who are "Breasfeeding Friendly." For instance, Regional Hospital has a designated lactation room to help support breastfeeding mothers who work at the Hospital.

"The best part of our job is when someone is still breastfeeding their baby months after they've left here because someone was here to support them at the start," says Nancy.