Spartanburg Regional nurse shares her personal experience with breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week 

Spartanburg Regional is excited to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week and continue to promote the benefits of breastfeeding for new mothers. 

As a designated Baby-Friendly hospital through the World Health Organization, Spartanburg Medical Center has taken special steps to ensure specific policies and practices are carried out to help parents made informed, educated decisions about how to care for their baby. 

Part of that care centers on breastfeeding. 

Breast milk is the gold standard in infant nutrition and breastfeeding has many health benefits for both mothers and babies. 

World Breastfeeding Week is Aug. 1 through Aug. 7 and is held to support and celebrate all mothers on their breastfeeding journeys, and to showcase how healthcare workers and communities are uplifting and caring for those on that journey. 

Hear how Yadira Flores, a registered nurse with Spartanburg Regional, reflects on her own breastfeeding journey: 

Q: Describe your experience with breastfeeding. 

Flores: I am a mother of five children. I have breastfed all my children. My experience was different for all five children. The bonding experience is my favorite part about breastfeeding.  I feel so close to my babies when I breastfeed them. I feel a very special connection.  

Q: Why was breastfeeding so important to you? 

Flores: I have always felt that breastfeeding was important to me because I saw my mother breastfeeding my siblings. I wanted to have that with my own children. Now, as a nurse I know that breastfeeding is very healthy and nutritious for the baby.  

Q: How would you encourage other mothers who are considering whether to breastfeed their newborns? 

Flores: I always encourage mothers to breastfeed because for one, it is the best for the baby. Second, breast milk is easier to digest. Third, it's free. Fourth, you don’t have to wash bottles or make them at night. And five, it's just so much easier. 

If they are considering stopping, I would say if it's not medically necessary then I would reconsider. The benefits breastfeeding has for the baby are just too numerous.  

I love breastfeeding and I encourage everyone to breastfeed if possible. I had to quit early with two of my children due to infections, but I also did not get the proper help. I would encourage mothers to have a support system and to seek help from lactation with any questions or concerns. The lactation team at Spartanburg Regional is great and it's always willing to help. 

To learn more about Spartanburg Regional’s lactation services, click here. 

And to learn more about Spartanburg Medical Center’s Baby-Friendly designation, click here.