For immediate release: Feb. 23, 2012

Contact: Jill Clark, 970.988.5073 cell, jdc1@pvhs.org

Poudre Valley Hospital announced today that it has received an international award for excellence in the way the hospital's lactation program encourages and helps new mothers with breastfeeding their infants.

The International Board of Lactation Consult Examiners and International Lactation Consulting Association presented the Fort Collins hospital with the Care Award.

The award recognizes the way the hospital maintains a well-trained staff that promotes and encourages breastfeeding to mothers. The hospital also received the honor for offering a lactation program, WeeSteps, that is instrumental in helping new mothers start and maintain breastfeeding.

Karen Moore, PVH clinical nurse specialist, said the award demonstrates the commitment of the hospital's lactation team to help new mothers learn and use breastfeeding techniques.

Moore said PVH's lactation specialists passed a rigorous examination that demonstrates their ability to provide competent, comprehensive lactation and breastfeeding care. They are required to keep their skills current, and must recertify every five years through continuing education and re-examination.

Exclusive breastfeeding is a highly effective public health intervention to prevent ear, gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, obesity, diabetes and cancer. It's also environmentally friendly, eliminating the need to purchase pre-packaged containers of formula.

--PVHS--