Better skin-to-skin contact for moms, babies at Northwest Community Healthcare

The exclusive skin-to-skin product of La Leche League International, the worldwide breastfeeding organization, has come to Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) this year and is proving to be a popular method for helping moms and babies bond better. NCH is the first hospital in the region to begin using Joeyband, a product designed for post-partum use that helps with breastfeeding and prevents infant falls.

Made of a yoga pant type material, it stretches to accommodate a baby or twins, and keeps them secure, bringing them easily to a mother’s breast. The Joeyband provides deep pressure touch and is to be used in a seated position.

 “As part of our Gentle Transition Initiative at NCH, we have introduced this snug-fitting wrap called the Joeyband which cradles baby to mother, promoting skin-to-skin contact while also preventing newborn drops as mother adapts to holding her new baby,” says Nenette Cacal, Clinical Nurse Manager at NCH. “We have received positive feedback since we started using the Joeyband in January.”

About 85 percent of moms choose to use the Joeyband during their stay in the hospital, Cacal adds. NCH learned of the product at an out-of-state conference, and staff in the mother/baby unit began Joeyband training in November of 2017.

“We are working towards changing the standard of care through the introduction of the Joeyband product, and are thrilled to have NCH on board,” says Sarah Cox, Vice President of Business Development for Joeyband. “With increased skin-to-skin initiatives, we know there is a risk of falls; we applaud NCH for being pro-active and keeping babies safe.” 

About Joeyband

Joeyband by SleepBelt^™ was launched in 2013 in Canada and entered the US market in 2015. Joeyband is the exclusive skin-to-skin product of La Leche League International and is also a 2016 AWHONN (Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nurses) “Trusted Leader.” Joeyband is a well-designed, patented product that supports skin-to-skin and prevents infant falls across the continuum of care – in the Operating Room, Labor/Delivery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and at home. The product has made its way into over a hundred hospitals.