The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee announced that the theme for National Breastfeeding Month in 2025 is Forward Together. This theme centers around unity, solidarity and hope, and celebrates the strength of organizations and advocates, committed to advancing policy, systems and environmental change and supporting all feeding journeys.
Rice County Public Health’s lactation counselors do just that. They strive to meet families where they are at in their feeding journey and support them to meet their feeding goals.
The team consists of three public health nurses: Kiera LaRoche, Heather Luethje and Fae Schumacher, and dietician Kathy Neirby. Two additional public health nurses are currently in training.
Lactation counselors have special training and competence in lactation skills. They are able to assess the latch and feeding process, and can counsel mothers and provide corrective interventions to commonly encountered situations such as breast/nipple issues, feeding problems and breastmilk management issues.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months after birth. At six months, breastfeeding should continue while introducing solid foods until the infant is one, and as long as mutually desired by mother and child for 2 years or beyond.
The Minnesota Department of Health lists several reasons why breastfeeding is beneficial for the infant, nursing mother and the family, stating, “It’s good for babies, good for moms.”
Visit health.state.mn.us/people/breastfeeding/whybf.html to see the listing and to find answers to common questions as well as information about Minnesota laws protecting breastfeeding.
When it comes to breastfeeding, Rice County Public Health takes a family-centered approach. LaRoche, Luethje and Schumacher are registered nurses and are available for prenatal and postpartum visits with families to answer any breastfeeding questions/concerns they may have from the comfort of their home. Neirby is also the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) coordinator at Rice County Public Health, providing education and support to WIC families.
In addition, one of the nurses attend weekly free baby support groups working collaboratively with local ECFE programs in Faribault (Baby Stop 10:30-11:45 a.m. every Thursday) and Northfield (Baby Talk 10:30 a.m.-noon every Wednesday).
These groups support parents with babies from 0 -12 weeks, sharing joys and challenges, and answering questions. Babies can also be weighed each week.
In addition to the certified lactation counselors, all staff in the Family Child Health and WIC units at Rice County Public Health have extensive training and experience with breastfeeding and can serve as a resource to Rice County families to support breastfeeding mothers.
Individuals may self-refer or ask their provider to refer them for services.
For more information, call 507-332-6111 and ask for a Family Child Health nurse or submit an online referral form at https://bit.ly/RiceCo_PublicHealthReferral.
