Norma Vazquez, CLC, CBS, lactation consultant
Norma Vazquez, CLC, CBS, a lactation consultant for Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health’s Healthy Beginnings Plus and Nurse Family Partnership, is passionate about helping new parents. Last fall, she was awarded a Penn Medicine CAREs Grant for purchasing breastfeeding supplies for women in need.
“Through my work at LG Health, I realized there are many reasons why parents stop breastfeeding. These include a lack of basic supplies like nursing bras, milk storage bags, or breast pads,” she said. Vazquez was moved to take action and committed to making these items more accessible to local families.
With her CAREs Grant, Vazquez recently ordered nursing bras that she stores at the YWCA on Lime Street in downtown Lancaster. She distributes these and other breastfeeding supplies during the weekly postpartum support group she runs at the YWCA on Wednesdays, open to parents and their babies.
“I wanted to create a space where new parents could come and get peer support and lactation support, and have access to resources like breastfeeding supplies,” Vazquez said, adding that the group also welcomes parents of toddlers.
Vazquez’s enthusiasm for helping families spread to other community partners who provided funding for additional supplies like breast pumps and milk storage bags.
Penn Medicine CAREs Grants are available to all Penn Medicine employees who apply on behalf of a non-profit for which they volunteer. Applications are always open and are awarded quarterly to a variety of programs spearheaded or supported by Penn Medicine faculty, staff, students, and trainees.
To learn more about the Penn Medicine CAREs Grant Program, visit PennMedicine.org/Community.
Expanding Resources for Breastfeeding Mothers
The LG Health Benefits team and the Well-Being Committee have partnered with Mamava, a lactation space design company, to offer two new private rooms (“pods”) at Lancaster General Hospital for employees who are breastfeeding. Located in the James Street Lobby (2nd level behind the Children’s Play Area) and in the waiting area between 6 East and 6 West, the pods use keyless entry with an app, and can be deadbolted from the inside for privacy and peace of mind. The Mamava pod is a comfortable, sanitary place to nurse or pump breast milk (individuals must bring their own pump) and part of LG Health’s commitment to employee wellness.
Other employee lactation rooms are available throughout LG Health locations, which are stocked with breastfeeding materials and a medical-grade breastfeeding pump.