By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

QUINTER — The Gove County Medical Center has introduced a new service to the area in order to promote breastfeeding to new mothers.

The BESTT Lactation Clinic will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Tuesday excluding holidays.

“The visit includes free gifts and information with instruction and education on the breastfeeding process,” said Annie Staats, director of nursing. “The goal is to help mothers breastfeed longer increasing the emotional and physical health of mothers and infants.”

With longer nursing, infants hopefully have “a stronger emotional bond, stronger immune system, and fewer clinic visits for respiratory or ear infections,” Staats said.

Mothers may also may enjoy improved health with the extend breastfeeding according to Staats.

We here at Gove County Medical Center are so excited to introduce to the area our BESTT Lactation Clinic. The clinic will be open on Tuesday’s8a-4p except for holidays. The clinic is open to all new mothers an inclusive to mothers who gave birth at Gove County Medical Center. Form mothers who delivered elsewhere the fee is minimal at $35.00.

The Kansas Health Foundation gave $15,198 to fund the clinic and will staff three consultants — Wendy Schmidt, Stephanie Mesh and Jamie Mense.

“The clinic is open to all new mothers an inclusive to mothers who gave birth at Gove County Medical Center. For mothers who delivered elsewhere, the fee is minimal at $35,” Staats said.