Ellen Perrault
The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program recently launched its first Breast Pump Loan Program designed to support mothers with newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit.
The program is being led by Breastfeeding Coordinator Debbie Bryan and Regional Breastfeeding Liaison Cecilia Maldonado, in partnership with St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino.
In early August, the hospital received 10 Medela Symphony medical-grade electric breast pumps and kits. This free service offers mothers faster access than they might get through WIC offices.
In a press announcement, health officials said maintaining milk production through pumping is critical for mothers of hospitalized infants. Breast milk provides essential immune and nutritional benefits, especially for preterm or low-birthweight babies, and has been shown to reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis by six to ten times compared with preterm formula.
“This program is about more than equipment — it’s about advancing health equity,” Bryan said in a press statement. “We want to make sure mothers have what they need during this critical time.”
The goal of local officials is to expand the program to more hospitals in the county. For details on how to start the program, please contact Debbie Bryan at deborah.bryan@dph.sbcounty.gov.
The WIC program offers nutritious food, education, referrals and breastfeeding support to eligible families. Nursing mothers may be eligible for extended benefits, which can include breast pumps and nursing bras. For more information, call 800-472-2321 or visit wic.sbcounty.gov.