August is recognized as National Breastfeeding Month, a time to highlight the importance of breastfeeding and the role it plays in supporting the health of mothers and babies. Breastfeeding provides essential nutrients that promote growth, development, and long-term health for infants, while also offering health benefits for mothers.
At University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC), breastfeeding support is more than a recommendation – it’s a commitment. UMC is proud to be El Paso’s only designated Baby-Friendly® hospital and a Texas 10 Step Program facility, recognized by the Texas Department of State Health Services. These designations reflect UMC’s dedication to providing maternity care practices that encourage and support breastfeeding through staff training, resources, and evidence-based policies.
UMC’s approach includes:
- Expert staff training: All registered nurses receive at least 20 hours of lactation training to provide hands-on guidance and support.
- Specialized lactation consultants: With 16 Certified Lactation Counselors (CLC) and 1 International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), UMC offers advanced expertise to help mothers overcome breastfeeding challenges.
- Comprehensive support: From pregnancy to postpartum care, mothers have access to lactation experts both during their hospital stay and through UMC’s Women’s Health Clinics.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, encouraging skin-to-skin contact and avoiding artificial nipples and pacifiers in the early months. UMC embraces these best practices and envisions every newborn receiving skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth, with breast milk as their first feed.
At UMC El Paso, we understand that every breastfeeding journey is unique. That’s why our team of highly trained nurses and IBCLC-certified consultants are here to provide compassionate care and expert guidance every step of the way. Whether before delivery, during your hospital stay, or after you’ve returned home, UMC is here to support mothers in achieving their breastfeeding goals.
