Meet Megan Schulz, R.N. and Laura Simon, R.D.
Breastfeeding support initiatives in Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm Counties has led to an increase in breastfeeding initiation rates from 70% to 75% in the last year.
“That’s great progress,” said Bonnie Havlicek, Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD) Community Health and Education Division Director. “We have a lot more work to do, but to have 5% more moms initiating breastfeeding in a year’s time is fantastic.”
Havlicek is hopeful that the initiation rate will continue to increase with the addition of two new Lactation Specialists, Megan Schulz, R.N. and Laura Simon, R.D.
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Laura Simon, R.D |  Megan Schulz, R.N. |
Scholarships were recently awarded to Schulz and Simon through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to attend a week-long lactation training in Mount Pleasant. Both passed the challenging course to become Certified Lactation Specialists and are now eligible to take the exam to become Certified Lactation Consultants.
The pair is looking forward to utilizing what they learned in class, offering mothers encouragement and support as well as helping to solve breastfeeding issues and developing strategies to increase breastfeeding. They will also be mentoring MMDHDs Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Breastfeeding Peer Counselors in an effort to provide clients with as much support as possible.
Research clearly shows that breastfed babies are healthier babies who:
· Have less colic, constipation and diarrhea
· Have a lower risk of developing certain childhood cancers, juvenile diabetes, allergies and asthma
· Have a decreased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
· Are 30% less likely to become obese later in life
· Have fewer colds, ear infections, and respiratory infections
Even though the course was intense, both ladies agree it was more than worth it.
“Becoming a Certified Lactation Specialist has taught me how to better support our breastfeeding mothers and help those facing challenges,” said Simon.
Schulz agreed, saying, “The class helped me be more knowledgeable about breastfeeding so I can assist clients with their everyday breastfeeding concerns, which will in turn increase our breastfeeding initiation and duration rates.”
If you are eligible for WIC and have a breastfeeding question or issue, you may contact Schulz at 989-875-1009 or Simon at 989-831-3672.