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Welcome to the August edition of Health Link, where we are highlighting National Breastfeeding Month, a time dedicated to supporting and empowering families on their breastfeeding journey. This year’s theme, "Nourish, Sustain, Thrive," focuses on why protecting, promoting, and supporting lactation is so important for the human life cycle. As we celebrate this important month, we recognize the crucial role breastfeeding plays in fostering a healthy start for newborns and strengthening families.
Breastfeeding is an important foundation for lifelong health and well-being, offering vital benefits for both infants and mothers. It provides essential nutrients and antibodies that protect newborns from infections and chronic diseases. For mothers, breastfeeding helps their bodies heal after childbirth and can lower the risk of certain cancers. It also strengthens the bond between a mother and baby. Learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding here:
Read below to learn more about the Amazing Newborn Clinic, Steele County Public Health's New Mom New Baby Program, Allina's Baby Café, and Artemis's Milk Depot. You will also find information about preparing children and families for emergencies and some exciting announcements! Lastly, we invite you to participate in our Community Health Assessment by ranking the top five health issues you believe are most important to address in the next five years. Click here to make your voice heard: https://forms.office.com/g/bUNgRccKgf.
Click the buttons below to visit our website or watch the latest HealthTalk episode where we interview local breastfeeding champions: Julie Schiffer from the Amazing Newborn Clinic and Susan Shaft from the Allina Birth Center.
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Every Tuesday from 10:30am - 12:00pm at the Roosevelt Community School (122 E McKinley St, Owatonna), Steele County Public Health nurses and Owatonna Early Childhood Family Education staff partner to provide FREE services and support to parents of infants aged 0-12 months.
Amazing Newborn Clinic is a year-round program that offers weight checks for babies and provides education to parents about feeding, development, and any other questions parents may have. There are also twelve rotating topics specifically geared towards parents of infants under 12 weeks old to support their changing families and their infant's development. Nurses and educators at Amazing Newborn Clinic are equipped to connect parents with community resources that can further support their growing families.
Parents can also benefit from Amazing Newborn Clinic by connecting with other parents and forming lasting support systems as they raise their children together. This is a FREE service, and no pre-registration is necessary. We hope to see you and your little one there!
New Mom, New Baby Program
At Steele County Public Health, we offer a special service for new moms and their babies! Through our New Mom, New Baby Program, Public Health Nurses provide in-home or in-office visits within the first two weeks after birth to ensure you and your baby are off to a healthy start. During the visit, our nurses will:
- Check vital signs and overall health for both mom and baby.
- Weigh your baby and perform a general health assessment.
- Offer guidance on breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and baby care.
- Provide support for postpartum recovery and maternal mental health.
- Answer any questions you have as you adjust to life with your new little one.
All health information can be shared with your healthcare provider to ensure seamless care. We're here to support you every step of the way! Reach out to Steele County Public Health at (507) 444-7650 or SCPH@SteeleCountyMN.gov to learn more or schedule a visit.
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Allina Health's Birth Center at the Owatonna Hospital has delivered between 300 and 500 babies every year since 2020! In addition to providing trained staff and a safe space for mothers to deliver their babies, Allina's Birth Center manages two programs that support mothers and newborns: Baby Café and Artemis's Milk Depot.
Baby Café at the Owatonna Hospital is part of a nationwide organization dedicated to providing free, drop-in, informal breastfeeding support groups offering professional lactation care. The Baby Café in Owatonna started in 2018 to address this need in our community. Today, Baby Café serves as many as 25 families each week by providing a space for mothers to connect with each other while receiving support from healthcare professionals.
Owatonna's Baby Café has an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) on staff who connects with mothers to form relationships and offer breastfeeding support. At Baby Café, mothers can weigh their babies and check in to see how breastfeeding is going for both the mother and the infant.
Baby Café meets weekly on Thursdays from 11:30am - 1:30pm, at the Owatonna Hospital (2250 NW 26th St, Owatonna). There is no cost or registration required for families to attend!
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Artemis's Milk Depot began at the Owatonna Hospital to meet another need in the community: a convenient place for mothers to donate their surplus breastmilk. When a mother's milk is not available, donated milk can be lifesaving for premature and sick infants by providing essential nutrients and antibodies. It can also be a meaningful way for mothers to support other families in need and offer emotional healing for mothers who have experienced a loss but still wish to contribute to the health of other babies.
In partnership with the Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies, Artemis's Milk Depot has had a huge impact, donating over 10,000 ounces of milk to provide over 30,000 meals for extremely premature and low birth weight babies between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024!
To learn more about how to get involved or to donate your milk, visit their website: Artemis’ Milk Depot | Owatonna Hospital | Allina Health.
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Being prepared for disasters starts at home. Everyone can be part of helping to prepare for emergencies. Young children and teens alike can be a part of the process. As a parent, guardian, or other family member, you have an important role to play when it comes to protecting the children in your life and helping them be prepared in case disaster strikes.
Disasters happen everywhere, and every member of the family can prepare. Preparedness for the future starts today. Ready.gov has plenty of FREE resources to engage your family in emergency preparedness:
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SCPH Receives a Grant for 420 Children's Books!
We're thrilled to announce that Steele County Public Health has been awarded 420 children's books through the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) Early Literacy Grant! These books were generously provided in partnership with Capstone Publishers and ABDO Publishing and will enhance school readiness for children from birth to age 8.
Thank you to SMIF, Capstone, and ABDO for supporting our community's children and fostering a love of reading!
We can't wait to use these wonderful books in our Family Health programs!
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Calling all teens grades 7-12! Come enjoy FREE food, yard games, coloring, prize drawings, and more! This event is a great opportunity for teen to connect with each other in a safe and supervised environment with the sun setting on summer and school on the horizon!
Sun Setting on Summer, hosted by the United Way of Steele County will take place on Thursday, August 29th, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Jaycee Park, 631 Rice Lake St, Owatonna. This is an open house event; youth are free to leave at any time.
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Rank Your Top 5 Health Priorities!
Help Steele County Public Health define our community’s top health priorities by choosing the 5 issues you believe are most important for us to address by clicking the button below! This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of health and wellness in our community. Your input will directly influence the programs and services we prioritize, ensuring they meet the needs and concerns of those we serve.
Please complete this survey only once to ensure that everyone's voice is heard equally. This is the same survey that was at our booth at the Steele County Free Fair.
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Steele County Public Health (SCPH) is dedicated to preventing disease, promoting wellness, and protecting the health of Steele County residents through a variety of services such as family health programs, immunization clinics, and home health care. SCPH also provides resources for radon and water testing, health education, and emergency preparedness to realize its vision of Healthy People in Healthy Communities. |
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