Hastings, MINN. 4/16/2018 — Regina Hospital’s Family Birth Center, part of Allina Health, and TLC of Hastings, has a special delivery for Hastings-area moms. The organizations have launched Baby Café, a free, drop-in center that provides experts, support and breastfeeding encouragement for new moms. The Grand Opening for Baby Café is Thursday, May 17, from 10 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at 1125 S. Frontage Rd., Suite 2, Hastings.
The center offers resources such as nurses, lactation counselors, a board-certified lactation consultant and a place for new parents to relate about pregnancy, delivery, breastfeeding, newborn, infant, toddler and child-raising experiences.
“It’s so important for parents with a new baby to have a support system,” said Julie McGary, RN, manager of the Regina Hospital Family Birth Center. “Often, many questions arise and breastfeeding and sleepless nights may be more of a challenge than a new parent expects.”
“A place like Baby Café is such a unique community service. It’s a setting in which a new mom or dad can find other parents who are going through the same things and where they can find the support of experts who can guide them through difficult times,” offered Bobbi Kieffer, RN, lactation counselor for the Regina Hospital Family Birth Center and Baby Café.
“We have had moms come to Baby Café who are so thankful they have an opportunity to meet with a lactation consultant and have a mom’s nursing group here in Hastings,” said Ronda Pelzer, RN, Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Nurse Manger of TLC of Hastings. “Our moms are grateful they can get questions answered and come up with a plan in a relaxed setting.”
“As the many benefits of breastfeeding become known, more and more women are choosing to breastfeed their babies,” Andrea Kullmann, Executive Director of TLC of Hastings, said. “Even the most determined woman will find herself frustrated with the process of breastfeeding if she doesn’t have the support and encouragement to continue. We’re excited to be here, to be that encouragement and support for moms in the community.” The center also welcomes dads, grandparents and other caregivers.
Drop in to Baby Café on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon at 1125 S Frontage Rd, Suite 2, Hastings. For more information, contact Regina Hospital Family Birthing Center at 651-404-1221651-404-1221 or TLC of Hastings at 651-437-4200651-437-4200.
Baby Café is an international network of free, comfortable drop-in locations in which pregnant and breastfeeding mothers can access health professionals such as lactation consultants and nurses.
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A not-for-profit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 10 hospitals / 13 campuses, 15 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services.