Contact: media@bannerhealth.com

MESA, Ariz. – Banner Desert Medical Center recently was recognized for excellence in lactation care.

The facility received the International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, or IBCLC, “Care Award” in recognition for staffing professionals who hold the lactation consultant certification, and for providing a lactation program for breastfeeding families.

The award was bestowed by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and International Lactation Consultant Association.

“This award recognizes hospitals for their commitment to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and breastfeeding programs,” said Barbara Edwards, nursing director of Women and Infant Support Services at Banner Desert Medical Center and Cardon Children’s Medical Center, located on the same medical campus. “We’re proud of our lactation consultants and health care providers who helped us obtain this award, and thankful to our families that choose us to provide their care.”

IBCLCs focus on preventive care, so they are available during pregnancy to assess and provide information on how to successfully initiate 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.