New program at hospital promotes mother-newborn bonding
The exclusive skin-to-skin product of La Leche League International, the worldwide breast-feeding organization, has come to Northwest Community Healthcare this year and is proving to be a popular method for helping moms and babies bond better.
Northwest Community Healthcare is the first hospital in the region to begin using Joeyband, a product designed for postpartum use that helps with breast-feeding and prevents infant falls.
Made of a yoga pant type material, it stretches to accommodate a baby or twins, and keeps them secure, bringing them easily to a mother's breast. The Joeyband provides deep pressure touch and is to be used in a seated position.
"As part of our Gentle Transition Initiative at Northwest Community Healthcare, we have introduced this snug-fitting wrap called the Joeyband which cradles baby to mother, promoting skin-to-skin contact while also preventing newborn drops as mother adapts to holding her new baby," says Nenette Cacal, Clinical Nurse Manager at Northwest Community Healthcare. "We have received positive feedback since we started using the Joeyband in January."
About 85 percent of moms choose to use the Joeyband during their stay in the hospital, Cacal adds. Northwest Community Healthcare learned of the product at an out-of-state conference, and staff in the mother/baby unit began Joeyband training in November of 2017.
"We are working towards changing the standard of care through the introduction of the Joeyband product, and are thrilled to have Northwest Community Healthcare on board," says Sarah Cox, Vice President of Business Development for Joeyband. "With increased skin-to-skin initiatives, we know there is a risk of falls; we applaud NCH for being pro-active and keeping babies safe."
Serving Chicago's Northwest suburbs since 1959, Northwest Community Healthcare is an independent health care system dedicated to serving the community. Its comprehensive, patient-centered system of care has locations throughout Chicago's northwest suburbs.
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