Nathan Littauer Hospital Recognized for Considerable Lactation Care Posted on July 12, 2021July 12, 2021 by Dakota PikeThe International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®) and International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) have recognized the Lactation Care Team of Nathan Littauer Hospital for excellence in lactation care.“We’re proud to introduce new technology and medical approaches in breastfeeding support,” says Littauer’s, RN, IBCLC, Nancy Quinlan. “Our patients are excited. We are one of the seven New York State hospitals that applied and received this award for 2021-2023. We are a medical practice leader, and our breastfeeding support services remained strong during the pandemic.”The Lactation Care Team of Nathan Littauer Hospital has received the 2021 IBCLC Care Award in recognition for staffing professionals who hold the prestigious International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) certification and providing a lactation program for breastfeeding families.Marin Skariah, MSN, FNP-BC, RNC-MNN, C-EFM, IBCLC, and Chair of the Board of IBLCE, recently stated, “Institutions that are awarded the IBCLC Care Award have dedicated their efforts to promote and provide a lactation program that makes expert assistance available when the breastfeeding family needs it. Through the presentation of this Award, IBLCE honors the work of IBCLCs around the world as they strive to advance global public health by providing expert lactation care to families and by promoting breastfeeding care to other healthcare professionals through advocacy and training.”IBCLCs focus on preventive care, so they are available during pregnancy to assess and provide information on how to successfully assist with breastfeeding. They continue that assistance after the baby is born by helping families overcome breastfeeding challenges, providing accurate information, and continuing to support them as their baby grows. They assist families returning to work or school, help families in more unusual situations such as breastfeeding more than one baby or nursing a sick or premature infant, and help train nursing staff to manage basic breastfeeding care.As allied health care professionals with the leading internationally recognized certification for professional lactation services, IBCLC professionals work in hospitals and birthing centers, clinics, public health agencies, private practice, community settings, government agencies, and in research. There are currently more than 33,400 such professionals in 125 countries and territories worldwide that are IBCLCs (www.iblce.org). The IBCLC certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). NCCA accreditation represents a mark of quality for certification program.In addition to finding IBCLC professionals at Nathan Littauer Hospital, families can also find an IBCLC near them by visiting www.ilca.org. Follow the “Find a Lactation Consultant” link and search for an IBCLC by postal code, city and state, or country. For more information on Littauer’s Lactation Services, or the Lactation Care Team, visit their website at For more information about the IBCLC Care Award program, contact IBLCE at award@iblce.org. XXXAbout Nathan LittauerNathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
Johnstown teachers support NLH with 400 books Posted on March 15, 2018 by Dakota Pike: NLH Birthing Center Ward Clerk, Lindsay Barter, left, Johnstown Teachers Assoc. Rep/Chairperson, Gloria Bruno, NLH Birthing Center Ward Clerk, Kristen Green, and NLH Lactation Consultant , Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, OSC.GLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (March 13, 2018) – The Johnstown Teachers Association recently donated 400 books to the Nathan Littauer Hospital Birthing Center, as a part of their Community Outreach Program. Research shows that reading aloud to children is imperative for cognitive growth. And, it’s never too early to start reading to your child. Even newborns love to hear the rhythm and inflection of the human voice. The more you read to a baby, the more their brain will grow.The books are distributed to new mothers at The Birthing Center to encourage reading from the start. In the photo are: NLH Birthing Center Ward Clerk, Lindsay Barter, left, Johnstown Teachers Assoc. Rep/Chairperson, Gloria Bruno, NLH Birthing Center Ward Clerk, Kristen Green, and NLH Lactation Consultant , Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, OSC.
Littauer Birthing Center again recognized for higher quality in maternity care Posted on February 8, 2018 by Dakota PikeHealthy moms and babies at Nathan Littauer Hospital with Littauer Lactation Consultant Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, at centerGLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (January 2018) – Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has once again recognized the Nathan Littauer Hospital Birthing Center with a Blue Distinction® Center for Maternity Care designation as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated hospitals that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community. Nearly four million babies are born in the U.S. annually, making childbirth the most common cause of hospitalization, and cesarean sections the most common operating room procedures, according to National Centers for Health Statistics and the Agency for Health care Research & Quality (AHRQ). Reducing early elective delivery is an area of focus for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)According to Health Affairs, elective inductions result in more cesarean deliveries and a longer maternal hospitalization. The Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity Care program evaluates hospitals on quality measures for vaginal and cesarean delivery.Littauer is proud to be recognized by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for meeting the rigorous Blue Distinction Center quality selection criteria for maternity care set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.“I am so proud of our team,” said Maureen Mosher, Littauer Manager of Maternal Child Health. “Last year, we were one of the first hospitals designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care. It is a distinction we achieve through our heartfelt dedication to our patients and community.”Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies across the nation have recognized more than 1,000 hospitals as Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity Care. Hospitals recognized with this designation are assessed using a combination of quality information supplied by hospitals and cost measures derived from BCBS companies’ medical claims.Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, maternity care, knee and hip replacements, spine surgery and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the care they deliver. Research shows that, compared to other hospitals, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients.For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.
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
Portable pods provide comfort to breastfeeding moms Posted on September 21, 2017 by Dakota PikeHere’s a report from News Channel 13 featuring Littauer’s Lactation Consultant, Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, OSC:Portable pods provide comfort to breastfeeding moms August 03, 2017 06:11 PMA number of events have been held around the Capital Region to commemorate “World Breastfeeding Awareness Week,” including at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville. A popular item at that event was the Mamava.“Moms are meant to breast feed. Babies can breastfeed,” pointed out Nancy Quinlan, an international board certified lactation consultant at Nathan Littauer Hospital.She admits it’s not always convenient to do so.Enter the Mamava, which in Spanish means “moms on the go.” These portable pods – lactation suites as the company calls them, that can be set up anywhere. They provide moms a clean, safe and private place to breast feed and also pump, which can often be a challenge.“A way to pump in public and be comfortable and not have to be in your car, where it’s steaming hot or anything like that,” noted Melaine Neelis, a mom.“Because with a pump it’s hard to hide everything. Because you kind of have to have your breast exposed, you have to set up the pump,” acknowledged Quinlan.Lack of privacy to pump and unsanitary sites designated for breastfeeding work against efforts to increase breastfeeding. The research is clear, not only is breastfeeding economical for families, it improves the health of both baby and mom. In addition, for working moms, having a place to breastfeed and/or pump is a win for all.“There’s data that supports that they go back to work and they’re happier going back to work ‘cause they have a place to go,” pointed out Lisa Martone with Mamava.That’s part of the Mamava appeal. There are 285 Mamavas in the United States. Nathan Littauer Hospital is hoping to encourage others to consider using them to support breastfeeding moms.Inflatable units can be rented for $150 a day for specific events like concerts and fairs.There are also standalone units of varying size that organizations can purchase to accommodate staff or customers.Bottom line is to normalize breastfeeding and make it more accessible
