Quincy Reporter

Quincy Medical Group issued the following announcement on Aug. 30

Breastfeeding offers many health benefits to mothers and babies. Moms, both new and experienced, need support to make breastfeeding a positive experience.

Quincy Medical Group (QMG) provides families this support with the Breastfeeding Basics class.  QMG Registered Nurse Jill Failor and QMG Speech Therapist Anne Zinn co-teach the class for expectant mothers.

Failor has worked as a registered nurse in obstetrics for 41 years. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and a Registered Lactation Consultant. Zinn is a licensed speech pathologist and is specialized in pediatric feeding disorders. She is a Certified Lactation Specialist.

In Breastfeeding Basics, Failor and Zinn cover basic principles of breastfeeding including how breastfeeding works, how to get started, and red flags for moms to be aware of with their infant.

The benefits of breastfeeding are many for infants, moms, and families. These benefits include:

Benefits to infants:

• Coats the digestive tract helping its function
• Reduces risk of common infant problems including wheezing, respiratory infection, diarrhea, and ear infections
• Reduces risk of infant diseases like SIDS and juvenile diabetes.
• Helps with the development of oral motor skills in your infant.

Benefits to mom: 

• Decrease blood loss after delivery helping the uterus to contract
• Reduces stress
• Increase weight loss by increasing caloric needs
• Decreases risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer.

Benefits to the family:

• Decreases healthcare and feeding costs.

Some may not think of a speech therapist as a person who can support breastfeeding, but speech therapists assess and treat feeding disorders. In addition to being a Certified Lactation Specialist, Zinn is also trained in TOTs or tethered oral tissues.

“I am able to assess and treat the way the mouth (jaw, lips, tongue) moves in order to successfully and safely latch to a breast,” Zinn explained.

Failor and Zinn enjoy the role they have in supporting families and understand that breastfeeding can be challenging.

“Breastfeeding is hard but with educating yourself and support, it can be a very rewarding experience.  You are giving your baby the best possible source of nutrition.  Do not be afraid to ask for help with lactation professionals or other moms,” Failor shared.

In addition to the Breastfeeding Basics class, Failor and Zinn also offer consults for moms. If you have concerns about breastfeeding, speak to your child’s pediatrician. You can also reach out to directly to Failor in the Obstetrics/Gynecology department at (217) 222-6550, ext. 3437 or Zinn in Pediatric Therapy at (217) 222-6550, ext. 3418.

Breastfeeding Basics takes place every other month at QMG and is recommended for new moms or women in their 6th or 7th month of pregnancy. The next classes are scheduled for Sept 23 and Nov 18 from 6 to 7 p.m. are held in QMG’s 1101 Maine St building, 2nd floor.

This class is free, but space is limited. Please register by calling us at (217) 222-6550, ext. 3255 or filling out the form online at quincymedgroup.com.

Original source can be found here.