Posted by As a Lactation Consultant Nurse (LCN) Jessica Gardiner sees inpatient and outpatient families who are experiencing feeding or lactation challenges primarily on the Family Newborn Care Unit and Post Partum Follow-up Clinic.
“Every family and feeding scenario is unique,” says Gardiner. “Sometimes it feels like solving a puzzle.”
Gardiner collaborates with parents and care teams to develop individualized plans to help families reach their feeding goals.
“I find it very motivating and rewarding to help families progress on their feeding journey,” says Gardiner. “It is so special watching new parents grow into their role and become confident caring for and feeding their baby!”
When not at the bedside, Gardiner is involved in staff education, mentoring, and policy and protocol review and development.
“When I graduated nursing school, I was drawn to the patient teaching and health promotion aspects of care in the IWK Women’s and Newborn Health Program and I found my niche in postpartum care,” says Gardiner. “I am excited to see where the LCN group will go in the future as we strive to provide the best care to families centre-wide.”
From October 1 to 7, 2021 IWK Health is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) both within the organization and out in the community. This year’s theme is Protect Breastfeeding, It Is a Shared Responsibility.