Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Spring 2018

6 VITALITY Spring 2018 CMH Baby Fair! Attend the annual Baby Fair on Saturday, March 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at the CMH Community Rooms. Call 417-328-6318 for more information. Breastfeeding: Best for baby and you You might say breast milk does double duty. It helps your baby get the best possible start in life. And it benefits you as well. HERE’SWHY OUR NURSES ARE SPECIAL What do almost all of our patients recall about their experiences at our hospital— whether they were here for a routine screening test, a complex surgery or even the birth of a baby at The Birth Place? Three words: our exceptional nurses. Skilled. Every one of them is a highly skilled professional trained to carefully assess a patient’s health and immediately notice and respond to the most subtle changes in that person’s condition. Educated. Many are registered nurses with four years of college preparation. But others have earned graduate degrees. These include our nurse practitioners, who can prescribe medications and treat common diseases. Compassionate. Still, what really distinguishes our nurses is their compassion. Our nurses truly care about every patient they encounter. They are a patient’s best advocates. When you’re a patient at our hospital, our nurses will make every member of your health care team aware of your unique needs. In short, our nurses will consider your lifestyle, family situation and state of mind when you trust us with your health. They will care for you as a whole person—as someone with both physical and emotional concerns. WHY IT’SGOODFORYOURBABY. It’s not a stretch to call breast milk the perfect first food. It’s easier than formula to digest, especially for premature babies. It’s always available—there’s no prep time. And it has all the nutrients and calories your baby needs to be healthy. Perhaps most important, it’s packed with substances—including disease-fighting antibodies—that help protect your baby’s health. Compared to formula-fed babies, babies who are nursed are less likely to have: » » Infections, including ear infections, viral infections and meningitis. » » Diarrhea. » » Pneumonia. Breastfeeding may also protect against sudden infant death syndrome, asthma, obesity and some cancers. WHY IT’S GOOD FOR YOU. Studies show that breastfeeding helps reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and both ovarian and breast cancer. Plus, it helps keep your bones strong and lowers your risk of broken bones as you age. In addition, it: » » Burns calories, which may help you lose leftover pregnancy pounds. » » Delays the return of your menstrual period to help keep iron in your body. » » Helps your womb return to its pre-pregnancy size more quickly. Generally the longer you nurse, the greater the benefits to both you and your baby. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; U.S. Office on Women’s Health COMMUNITY CHILDBIRTH