Breastfeeding Clinic opens in Amarillo

AMA Baby Cafe Ribbon Cutting

(From left) Hale and Jordan were among those on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony Monday.

There is now a new place for mothers to receive support and encouragement when it comes to breastfeeding their children. The TTUHSC at Amarillo recently opened the TTUHSC Breastfeeding Clinic in the department of pediatrics.

“This is a great opportunity for us to provide a much-needed service in our community,” said School of Medicine Regional Dean Richard Jordan, M.D. “With all of the resources we have here at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, this was a natural move for us.”

Funding for this clinic was generously provided by the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) of the High Plains. The grant allowed for two clinic rooms to be converted to a more comfortable setting for breastfeeding mothers. Exam tables and medical equipment were removed, allowing for a large comfortable chair and other items to make mothers feel at home. Mothers will receive assistance and encouragement from lactation experts in Amarillo.

Watch Founding La Leche League Member Marian Tompson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sig-oJqpthU&feature=youtu.be

“We try our best to make the mothers feel like they are in a relaxed atmosphere because it makes them feel welcome and not like they are not in a typical medical clinic,” said Clinic Administrator Angela Hartfelder, R.N.

The CMN grant also funded the CMN Baby Café, a join effort between CMN, TTUHSC, Northwest Texas Healthcare System and BSA Health System.

“The Baby Cafe is a great program that will help many women in our area and encourage them to breastfeed,” said Assistant Dean of Research and founder of the InfantRisk Center, Thomas Hale, Ph.D., “It is amazing to see all four medical entities come together to make this program a reality.”

The CMN Baby Café is a support group for new mothers and for those who continue to breastfeed. The group will meet once a week, and physicians and experts will be available to answer questions. Mothers will be shown proper breastfeeding techniques and will be able to form relationships with other women in the group.

Image Gallery

Related Stories

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Rural Adolescents

Leigh Ann Reel, Au.D., Ph.D., CCC-A, discussed the causes and prevention strategies for noise-induced hearing loss, particularly for adolescents in rural areas.

Willed Body Memorial Service Honors Those Who Donated

On Memorial Day each May, a service is conducted at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Institute of Anatomical Sciences to pay respect to the Willed Body Program donors and their families.

Molecular Pathology Preceptorship: Unmatched Value and Experience

Ericka Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM, Program Director and Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Molecular Pathology program in the School of Health Professions spoke about the program’s preceptorship.

Recent Stories

Health

The Future of Health: Musculoskeletal Care for Expectant Mothers

Dr. Deborah Y. Edwards, PT, DPT, ScD, OCS, discusses musculoskeletal care during pregnancy.

Research

Logsdon Receives Grant to Study Vascular Side of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Supported by a three-year, $578,211 grant from the National Institutes of Health-National Institute on Aging, Aric F. Logsdon, Ph.D., will study how brain endothelial cells, or blood vessels within the brain, handle the stressors of neuroinflammation.

Health

Historic collaboration brings shipping container-based health care clinic to Jeff Davis County

Texas A&M Health and TTUHSC joined with the student-led organization, Texas A&M BUILD—along with local leadership and other collaborators—to unveil a new, innovative medical care facility for a Trans-Pecos region rural community: a 40-foot, retro-fitted shipping container.