The Wright Center, Breastfeeding a Healthy Habit for Mother and Child August is National Breastfeeding Month, which is a great opportunity for us to talk about the many health benefits this critical practice provides to mother and child. Breastfeeding Month was established to promote human milk in child development and lactation practices and policies. We’re all for that here at The Wright Center, where we support it for patients and employees, alike. The Pennsylvania Department of Health recognizes breastfeeding as the ideal nutrition for infants, while the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that women exclusively breastfeed their babies for at least the first six months after birth, and up to two years or beyond, depending on the mother and child’s wants and needs. Simply put, mother’s milk is the ideal nutrition for babies, providing benefits that can’t be found in baby formula. The research is clear on this — breastfeeding can lower a baby’s risk of certain infections, asthma, obesity, and sudden infant death syndrome. And for mothers, it can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and breast and ovarian cancers. Any discussion about breastfeeding should also include its relation to the workplace, as women with infants and young children are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. labor force. Unfortunately, too many women cease breastfeeding when returning to work, due to the challenges of finding a safe, private place to pump and store milk. However, I’m happy to report that an increasing number of employers are now providing designated lactation stations for breastfeeding employees. It’s a trend that hopefully will only continue to grow, especially since breastfeeding-friendly workplace programs are relatively easy and inexpensive to implement, and provide savings through reduced health care claims and employee absences. The Wright Center has been highly supportive of breastfeeding employees, and we’ve gone above and beyond to support patients through our primary and pediatric care services, as well as the Healthy MOMS (Maternal Opiate Medical Support) program, a collaborative effort between The Wright Center and several other community organizations that assists pregnant women and new mothers overcome addiction and embrace a life in recovery. That includes a $7,500 grant we secured from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics to provide essential breastfeeding resources and supplies to Healthy MOMS participants, including manual breast pumps, breast milk storage sets, educational materials, consultations with lactation specialists, and access to breastfeeding counselors. The grant also went toward doula training for Healthy MOMS collaborators. If you’re interested in learning more about resources pertaining to breastfeeding, the Pennsylvania Breastfeeding Referral Guide contains detailed information on lactation specialists, community programs, support/mother groups, community coalitions, breast pump rentals, and local, state, and national help lines. For additional information, call the Healthy Baby Line at 1-800-986-BABY (2229). Breastfeeding women and their children are high priority here at The Wright Center, and we’ll continue doing our part to ensure their good health. Manju Mary Thomas, M.D., board-certified in pediatrics and obesity medicine, serves as deputy chief medical officer and medical director of pediatrics and school- and community-based medical home services at The Wright Center for Community Health. She is also a physician faculty member for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Family Medicine Residency Pediatrics Program. She is accepting pediatric and adolescent patients at our Mid Valley Community Health Center. To make an appointment, call 570-230-0019.
The Wright Center Promotes Mental Health Hotline for New Mothers As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to highlight the ongoing need to improve access to health services for new mothers and their babies. The issue demands widespread advocacy, making awareness efforts like Maternal Health Awareness Day all the more vital. This annual observance, happening on Thursday, Jan. 23, carries the theme “Know What’s at Stake” for 2025. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the day’s sponsor, is calling on its members, partners, and the public to spotlight the maternal mortality crisis, reproductive health challenges, and other critical maternal health concerns. While these critical issues remain pressing, significant progress is being made – particularly in addressing maternal mental health. For instance, late last year the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) launched a nationwide campaign to promote the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA). This hotline, a key initiative within HRSA’s broader maternal health strategy, aims to reduce maternal mortality and health disparities. According to the CDC, mental health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths, yet more than 80% of these deaths are preventable. Available 24/7 in English and Spanish, the hotline provides free, confidential support from professional counselors. Callers receive a safe space to share their concerns, access to local support groups, referrals to health care providers, and more. As HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson noted in a press release: “The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is a safe space for pregnant women and new moms to get the emotional and mental health support they need. We are excited to partner with grocery stores, pharmacies, and other organizations to help get the word out about this important resource for communities across the country.” Promoting the hotline is essential, but it’s also heartening to recognize the exceptional maternal health care providers in our local communities. Among them is Maternal & Family Health Services, which consistently delivers outstanding care. Here at The Wright Center, we take pride in offering exceptional pediatric services, including newborn check-ups, vaccinations, school physicals, and developmental guidance. We’re committed to supporting families as they navigate their children’s health from infancy to young adulthood. We’re also proud of the incredible work being done by the Healthy MOMS (Maternal Opiate Medical Support) Program. This collaborative effort helps pregnant women and new mothers overcome addiction and embrace recovery. The program combines medication-assisted treatment, behavioral health services, case management, and social services to support mom and baby through the child’s second birthday. Research shows that mothers who engage in recovery services before their due dates are less likely to give birth to babies affected by neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) – a painful and costly condition caused by prenatal exposure to opioids. I promise we’ll continue working hard to ensure local mothers and their children have the care and resources they need. Truly, it’s one of the most important things we do as a community health center Manju Mary Thomas, M.D., board-certified in pediatrics and obesity medicine, serves as deputy chief medical officer and medical director of pediatrics and school- and community-based medical home services. A physician faculty member of the Family Medicine Residency Pediatrics Program at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, she provides primary and preventive care for pediatric and adolescent patients at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley.
