Northwest Colorado Health in Steamboat Springs is offering a new texting support service to breastfeeding mothers enrolled in the health system's Women, Infants and Children program, Craig Press reports.
The peer-counseling text program aims to provide mothers with extra breastfeeding support in between appointments with WIC program staff. During WIC visits, the new mothers receive help managing changes in factors such as their baby's behavior, milk supply and work schedules that may affect breastfeeding routines, according to the report.
The texting service is available seven days a week until 10 p.m. Moms who opt into the program are paired with the same peer counselor who provides answers each time the mom texts.
"Breastfeeding is a constantly changing process," said Arin Daigneau, WIC program director at Northwest Colorado Health. "It can be easy to quit, but we want to give mothers as many tools as possible so they feel supported and confident in continuing."
Ms. Daigneau added that the texting program aims to help mothers in instances when they require quick answers, such as whether or not it is OK to take a certain medication when breastfeeding.