Note to editors: August 1 to 7 is World Breastfeeding Week.

NEW BREASTPUMP TECHNOLOGY AT MCG HEALTH SYSTEM SUPPORTS BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS

July 20, 2004

Augusta, Ga. -- MCG Health System recently acquired the latest in breastpump technology to help breastfeeding mothers.

The Medela Symphony Breastpump is the only breastpump available on the market that is based on how babies actually suckle; all other breastpumps are based on bovine feeding rhythms. This means an improvement in promoting and sustaining breast milk flow. Breastfeeding mothers benefit because they are able to express and store excess breast milk and maintain breast milk flow if babies are initially unable to breastfeed.

“Babies actually employ a two-phase process during breastfeeding-a rapid suckling to induce milk let-down followed by a slower, more relaxed rhythm for actual feeding,” says Dr. Michelle Brenner, a pediatrician and a certified lactation consultant at MCG Health System. “The Medela Symphony Breastpump closely mimics these natural breastfeeding rhythms, benefiting both mother and baby.”

“The American Academy of Pediatrics endorses breastfeeding for the health benefits it offers both to babies and mothers,” adds Dr. Kathryn McLeod, a pediatrician at MCG Health System and a supporter of breastfeeding. “Breastfed babies are less likely to develop ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, and may be less likely to develop childhood obesity. For mothers, benefits include a reduced risk of osteoporosis and a reduced risk of premenopausal breast and ovarian cancers.”

The breastpumps are available for all new mothers in the hospital who need the assistance of a breastpump as well as mothers whose children are being cared for in the MCG Children’s Medical Center. The improved technology of the new breastpumps is especially helpful to mothers in the neonatal intensive care unit, whose babies are currently unable to breastfeed due to their medical condition.

In addition to the new breastpumps for patients, the health system is also supporting its employees who choose to breastfeed. The specially designated Breastpump Break Room provides the new breastpumps, screens for privacy and a relaxing atmosphere where working mothers can express breastmilk for their infants.

“MCG Health System is proud to support our employees and patients who choose to breastfeed,” says Teresa McCullen, a lactation consultant at MCG Health System.

MCG Health System is composed of three separate organizations -- MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the Physicians Practice Group. The physicians of MCG Health System are community physicians and faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the Physicians Practice Group, not employees of MCG Health Inc. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children’s Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the Physicians Practice Group and community physicians to deliver the highest level of primary and specialty health care. For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.

• Contact Information:

  Danielle Wong
  Public Relations
  MCG Health, Inc. 
  Phone: (706) 721-5731
  Fax: (706) 721-5735