Breastfeeding is on the rise in Missouri and nationwide. In fact, Daviess County is a leader in breastfeeding and has one of the highest breastfeeding rates in the state. Breastfeeding is a very important start to a healthy life, which is why many mothers are now choosing to give their children breast milk, the best possible nutrition available for infants.
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Breastfeeding is free, easy and takes no preparation to make. There are not any expensive materials needed to breastfeed as long as there are not any medical issues present with mother or child or until the breastfeeding mother returns to work. In that case, a breast pump, bottles and storage bags to store the expressed breast milk are needed and these items can be costly.
Often times, lactation consultation is also needed for a first time breastfeeding mother, if there are any breastfeeding questions that the mother has or if there are problems with breastfeeding. Statistically, mothers who have the support of a lactation consultant are more successful with breastfeeding but lactation consultation can also be costly.
Many mothers do not know where to go for breastfeeding supplies, such as a breast pump, or for lactation support and these become barriers to their breastfeeding success and may cause them to quit breastfeeding.
With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, these services are now available for women who have health insurance. Health insurance companies are happy to provide the breastfeeding supplies that you need so that you can give your child a great start to a healthy life. They consider breastfeeding as a major part of preventing health issues later in life because of the many benefits breastfeeding brings to child and mother.
The best way to see if your health insurance offers breast pumps, breastfeeding supplies and lactation support as part of their preventative care, is to call your insurance provider. Many breastfeeding mothers are receiving the supplies that they desperately need through their providers at little to no out of pocket cost.
The Daviess County Health Department offers breast pumps and lactation support for mothers who are enrolled in the WIC program and is now offering lactation support for mothers who are not enrolled in WIC.
Contact Jessica Nelson, BFPC, at the Daviess County Health Department at 660-663-2414 for lactation support or to make an appointment for lactation consultation.