NLH is now a depot for the NYS Milk Bank Posted on October 30, 2017 by Dakota PikeLittauer Radiologic Technologist, Amanda Fosman with infant daughter Aria, donates excess breastmilk to Littauer’s Milk DepotGLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (October 23, 2017) – Nathan Littauer Hospital would like to announce a new partnership with the New York State Milk Bank. According to Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, OSC, the Littauer’s Birthing Center lactation consultant, The Birthing Center at Littauer is now one of the newest, licensed milk depots in the state.“NLH has always supported breast feeding, in a myriad of ways and now we are very excited about this leap forward,” said Quinlan. “We are now a milk depot for the NYS Milk Bank. This new chapter will improve awareness while bringing in new donor mothers for much-needed donor milk.”“When a woman donates their breast milk to help another baby, the gesture is beyond generous. It strikes at the core of what our community needs most: helping babies get the best start in life,” added Littauer VP of Marketing and Communication, Cheryl McGrattan. “Nathan Littauer is making that process easier as we can now collect store and ship donor milk to the NYS Milk Bank where it will be processed and distributed where it is most-needed.”Donors will go through a required screening process. Once approved, mothers can freeze the extra milk their babies don’t need and bring it to the Littauer depot, located in The Birthing Center at the hospital.Frozen milk soon arrives at the NYS Milk Bank, where it is logged in with a sophisticated tracking system. It is then thawed, analyzed, packaged in tamper-resistant bottles, pasteurized and tested for bacteria. Next, donor milk is dispensed by physician prescription to hospitals and NICUs. Some are also dispensed by physician prescription to medically needy babies at home.Interestingly, one method of delivery is made by the biker group Sirens, also known as the Milk Riders. They deliver much needed breastmilk throughout the New Your City. This group of dedicated riders will be present at Nathan Littauer Hospital for the inaugural delivery. Generally, Littauer will use another method of transport to deliver breastmilk to the NYS Milk Bank.Littauer’s partnership with the NYS Milk Bank is not only unique, but it is also essential for mothers who would like to donate excess breastmilk. This milk is important to save the lives and improve the health outcomes of vulnerably ill or premature babies.“We have gotten reports that our donated breastmilk has helped hurricane impacted babies in the U.S.” added McGrattan.For more information on the Littauer Milk Bank Depot, or to learn more about becoming a donor, please contact Nancy Quinlan at (518) 775-4101 or email nquinlan@nlh.org
Littauer celebrates National Breast Feeding Week with special event Posted on August 16, 2016 by Dakota PikeBaby Kyle Fetterly who flourished his first year on breast milk after consultation sessions at Nathan Littauer HospitalLittauer’s Lactation Consultant Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, left, greets one of the many mothers and young babies she has consulted with about breast feedingGLOVERSVILLE – On Wednesday, Aug. 3, Littauer celebrated (Aug. 1 through 7) with a reception for breast feeding supporters and new and expectant moms with families. Over 75 were in attendance for the event which offered refreshments and an opportunity for mothers, babies and families to socialize and share stories.The event was hosted by Littauer’s Lactation Consultant Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC. Littauer’s lactation services allows for a comfortable place for breastfeeding and pregnant families to get professional breastfeeding support, check baby’s weight and milk intake, and connect to community resources.Quinlan is a Registered Nurse and an International Breastfeeding Certified Lactation Consultant at Littauer. She has helped countless new mothers nurse their babies with breastfeeding classes or one-on-one consultations. By June, Qunlan had already celebrated 50 consultations for the year at Nathan Littauer Hospital.“Breastfeeding is the one gift that only a mom can give her baby that will have a lifelong effect on them both,” said Quinlan. “Breast milk keeps your baby healthy and breastfeeding keeps the mother healthy.”“For a small hospital we have a dedicated staff that works timelessly to help support moms who want to breastfeed,” said Littauer VP of Communications and Public Relations, Cheryl McGrattan. “There are many families who have been impacted by our comprehensive breastfeeding services.”Kelly Fetterlyis a mom of a healthy baby boy named Kyle who is soon to be a one-year old. She has managed to give her son breast milk for his entire first year. This is not so unusual, except that Fetterly has never nursed. Kyle was born pre-mature and was in a neo-natal intensive care unit for 27 hours before she was able to try nursing him. For reasons unknown, Kyle never latched with his mother for feedings.Determined to give her baby the healthiest start to life that she could, Fetterly was referred to and met with Quinlan at Nathan Littauer Hospital. Together they worked out a plan and Fetterly managed to pump milk for every feeding in Kyle’s first year.“I don’t know what I would have done without Nancy, she has been emotional reassurance every step of the way,” said Fetterly. “Her patience, time, and advice have made the difference. I think of Nancy as a close friend now, and Kyle adores her.”This year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme, “Breastfeeding: A Key to Sustainable Development,” was about how breastfeeding is a key element in getting us to think about how to value our wellbeing from the very start of life, how to respect each other, and to care for the world we share.
