February 10, 2010 (OKLAHOMA CITY) - St. Anthony is proud to be recognized as one of only 26 organizations in the state of Oklahoma who have achieved certification as an Oklahoma State Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace.  Becoming certified is a significant accomplishment considering the process an organization undergoes to become a certified site.

Not only does Saints encourage new mothers/patients to breastfeed their children, they also promote the same for their employees. This is a key employee service for a number of reasons.  Research has proven that women who breastfeed have a reduced incidence of breast and ovarian cancer.  As a matter a fact, the more children a mother breastfeeds the less likely she is to develop breast or ovarian cancer.  Breastfeeding also reduces the baby’s chance of developing asthma, pediatric cancer, ear infection, allergies, diabetes, obesity, or elevated cholesterol levels. As if the health benefits for both mother and baby were not enough, breastfeeding may also represent a cost savings to employees who no longer have to purchase formula and employers because the mother will take less sick days to stay home with a sick child.

St. Anthony has been recognized as a Gold Star, Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite, by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates and the Oklahoma Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition. St. Anthony has been recognized with a Gold Star certification, listed on the Oklahoma State Department of Health Website: Working and Breastfeeding Page, and public acknowledgement at the Annual Oklahoma Turning Point Conference, Annual Oklahoma Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Conference and Oklahoma WIC Annual Breastfeeding Symposium for Health Care Providers.

Employee stories are available, as well as an interview with Karen Blackburn, St. Anthony Lactation Consultant & Educator. Please contact Tiffany Aguilar at 272-6334.