Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura Recognized Again for Excellence in Breastfeeding Care

The award-winning lactation team at Community Memorial Hospital is proud to provide outstanding breastfeeding support and care to Ventura County’s moms and babies.

It’s been well-established that breastfeeding is important for new babies and their parents. The nutrients, hormones, and antibodies in breast milk help babies fight off illnesses, infections, and other potential health threats, and breastfeeding helps new moms bond with their babies.

Breastfeeding can be challenging, however, for working moms, moms with sick or premature babies, and moms of multiples. It can be hard, too, for a new mom to get started or keep going. That’s why Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura has remained dedicated to giving moms the expert help and support they need to be successful, even through the pandemic!

By all measures, we are succeeding! Community Memorial has been recognized once again for offering high-quality lactation care and top-notch assistance for breastfeeding families. We’re proud that two of the most important breastfeeding advocacy groups worldwide – the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) – have recognized Community Memorial for excellence in breastfeeding care by awarding Community Memorial with their IBCLC Care Award for 2021. CMH has received this award many times previously.

“Community Memorial is proud to be the premier birthing center in Ventura County,” said Megan Rodarte, director of Maternal Child Health Services at Community Memorial. “Part of our ongoing commitment to excellence is ensuring that breastfeeding education, support, and resources are available to CMH families and to our community as a whole.”

Community Memorial received the IBCLC Care Award in recognition of staffing professionals who hold the prestigious International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) certification and for providing a lactation program for breastfeeding families. In addition, Community Memorial demonstrated that it has recently completed activities that help protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.

The IBCLC Care Award is given to hospitals, medical practices, clinics, or agencies that staff professionals who hold the International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) certification and provide a lactation program for breastfeeding families, among other requirements that promote top breastfeeding care. IBCLCs help families overcome breastfeeding challenges, provide accurate information, and support families as their baby grows. They assist families returning to work or school, help families in more unusual situations such as breastfeeding more than one baby or nursing a sick or premature infant and help train nursing staff to manage basic breastfeeding care.

Community Memorial provides support and information to families during pregnancy, after birth, and as the baby grows. Community Memorial also offers a virtual Breastfeeding Support Group that meets on Thursdays from 2:00 – 3:30 pm and is led by a registered nurse and certified lactation counselor.

Community Memorial’s New Parent Resource Center is located at 2580 E. Main Street in Ventura. Call 805-948-BABY (2229) or email newparentresourcecenter@mycmh.org for more information.