Nature’s finest nutrition: Knapp Medical Center holding
free breastfeeding classes for expectant mothers;
free breast pumps available
Weslaco – A new lactation consultant, Sabrina de la Rosa, CLC, BSMCH, is promoting the finest nutrition that nature can provide for newborn babies – their mother’s breast milk – at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco.
Mrs. de la Rosa is passionate about helping new mothers with breastfeeding. She is holding free classes on breastfeeding – and can even help mothers obtain a free breast pump.
The free breastfeeding classes are available on-line (via Microsoft Teams) on Saturdays at 9 a.m. For information on the classes or lactation support, interested mothers can contact Mrs. de la Rosa at (956) 968-8567, ext. 4376 or at [email protected].
Mothers who would like to check into the possibility of obtaining a free breast pump can also contact Mrs. de la Rosa for more information.
“Ordering a breast pump for your baby can be completely free, and as a lactation consultant, I can help with the work involved in making that happen,” Mrs. de la Rosa said. “The Affordable Care Act requires most health insurance plans to cover breastfeeding services and supplies. That means that in most cases, you could receive a high-quality, name-brand pump at no cost to you.”
“Breastfeeding provides the best nutrition for our babies,” Mrs. de la Rosa added. “It helps protect babies from infections, and allows the baby to bond more closely with the mother.”
Knapp Medical Center encourages new mothers to try “skin-to-skin” contact. The purpose of skin-to-skin is to encourage breastfeeding by placing the baby on the mother’s chest as soon as possible after birth.
In fact, the first hour after the baby is born, “the golden hour,” is a critical time to encourage breastfeeding. Recognizing this, the labor-and-delivery and post-partum nurses at Knapp Medical Center strive to keep the baby with the mother as long as possible.
Mrs. de la Rosa previously served as a lactation consultant at Knapp’s sister hospital, Mission Regional Medical Center. She is experienced at developing and implementing individualized breastfeeding plans for new mothers — as well as in providing support for mothers as they learn to breastfeed. She also teaches mothers to “express” breast milk and store it in bottles for later feedings.
Mrs. de la Rosa is a member of the International Lactation Consultants Association (ILCA). In September, she will take an exam to become an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She teaches breast feeding in both Spanish and English.
In addition, Mrs. de la Rosa previously served as a certified yoga instructor for over nine years, helping Mid-Valley women achieve their health and wellness goals through safe and effective exercise programs, fitness classes and information about nutrition, lifestyle issues, and weight control.
“As a Weslaco native, I was born at Knapp Medical Center and gave birth to all four of my children here, whom I all breastfed,” Mrs. de la Rosa added. “I am ecstatic to be blessed with the opportunity to work here, and to help mothers from my local community achieve their breastfeeding goals. I look forward to teaching moms and babes the ‘milky ways — one latch at a time.’ ”
After graduating from Weslaco East High School – where she served as a member of the Lady Wildcats soccer team and as well as the National Honor Society – Mrs. de la Rosa attended South Texas College, receiving an Associate of Science in Biology degree. She then received a Bachelor of Science in Maternal Child Health: Human Lactation degree from Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was also a member of the Honor Society and a Dean’s List student.
Mrs. de la Rosa’s hobbies include photography, yoga, pilates, art, hiking, biking, swimming, and spending time outdoors with her family. She can be reached at (956) 968-8567, ext. 4376, or through the award-winning Women’s Center at Knapp Medical Center at (956) 973-5350.
ABOUT KNAPP MEDICAL CENTER
Knapp Medical Center is an award-winning, not-for-profit hospital in Weslaco. With 227 beds, the community hospital specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, critical care, emergency care, orthopedics, wound care, gastroenterology, surgery, and interventional radiology. Knapp serves as the only acute care hospital in the Mid-Valley, as well as Weslaco’s only Level III Trauma Center, Advanced Primary Stroke Center, and Level II Newborn Nursery.
The hospital has been providing quality and compassionate healthcare to Mid-Valley residents since 1962. More than 300 physicians serve on the hospital’s medical staff.
For more information, please call 956-968-8567 or visit www.KnappMed.org or www.FaceBook.com/KnappMedicalCenter/.
