In June of 2018, Missi Johnson and Sharon Blaney, two long-term nurses at the Women’s Health Center of Merit Health Natchez, became Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs). Based in Mississippi and serving five counties, plus two Louisiana parishes, Merit Health Natchez provides an array of medical services.

In the Women’s Health Center, Sharon and Missi will provide clinical breastfeeding counseling and management support to breastfeeding families.  The Women’s Health Center assists persons who deliver at the hospital and provides breastfeeding classes throughout the year. Additionally, a breastfeeding support group meets monthly at the hospital to assist new parents.

In line with their scope of practice as CLCs, Blaney and Johnson have obtained the knowledge and skills to educate, counsel, and support families with complex breastfeeding situations, use their counseling skills to support breastfeeding persons, and assess and monitor an overall breastfeeding experience.