BUFFALO, N.Y. — For our Most Buffalo Story of the Day, August is World Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and on Monday morning, Mercy Hospital opened a new baby cafe to support new moms who are breastfeeding, or are about to start.
Mercy Hospital now has its own baby cafe, a place for new parents to learn more about breastfeeding.
"Having that continued support after they're discharged is really important," explained Tammy Kowalik, nurse and lactation consultant.
Tammy Kowalik says the new baby cafe offers that, and more, to pregnant and breastfeeding moms. All parents are welcome. You didn't have to have your baby at Mercy Hospital.
"It is going to help moms' journey for breastfeeding, maybe longer duration, maybe to achieve their goals. It's allowing them to meet each other so they can actually support each other, share their own experiences, and challenges," said Tammy Kowalik.
And, you don't need an appointment.
"The room is meant to be just a comfortable space that moms can freely breastfeed, sit down, have a snack, bring their babies. It's set up to, with pillows, pictures on the wall, comfortable chairs, professionals will be in there, as well as other moms, so besides supporting each other, they can get professional assistance and guidance, too," said Tammy Kowalik.
The overall goal is to reduce health care disparities by offering free support.
"Going home, they face other challenges. How do I know how much milk my baby's getting? How do I know my baby's gaining weight or getting enough? What can I do if I feel like my milk isn't increasing yet or if I'm getting engorged? How do I use my breast pump? There are so many layers to breastfeeding and we want to be able to support new moms throughout that whole journey to help them achieve their goal and breastfeed longer," said Tammy Kowalik.
It's all made possible with grant from the state that the United Way received.
"This work is deeply personal to me as a mother of three daughters, and the proud grandmother of four. Over the years, United Way has used our experience and our resources for the betterment of the entire community, but we know that black maternal health and infant health outcomes is at a crisis point. Consider this, Black women are twice as likely to die in childbirth as white women and two-and-a-half times less likely to breastfeed," said Trina Burruss, President and CEO of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County.
For new moms like Stephanie Stroud, the new baby cafe is a welcome addition.
"Just knowing you have that resource really helps. I know for me, it just, it was such a crutch knowing that I could call at any point and ask a question, but knowing that there was a place that I could've come to, I think would've been even more helpful because there's things that they can't help with over the phone. Like maybe I need help with the baby latching, or maybe you can tell is the baby eating enough, I can't really tell because I'm not the professional. So knowing there's a place to come, and it's open, you know, to any mom, that maybe not just the Catholic Health moms, that's really so valuable. You can't put a price on that," said new mom, Stephanie Stroud.
The new baby cafe is on the fourth floor of Mercy Hospital.