Feature Friday: Bradley County Health Department

Welcome to the second post in the Feature Friday series. Every Friday throughout this series I will feature a resource relevant to pregnancy, birth, or parenting in the Cleveland, TN and Chattanooga, TN area. May you find something to help you on your journey with your baby.

Bradley County Health Department

It was a joy to talk to Kendra Steveson, breastfeeding counselor, about the services offered at the Bradley County Health Department. It was evident after speaking with Kendra that the Bradley County Health Department is passionate about providing resources and support to families, as well as helping women succeed at breastfeeding.

About Kendra

Kendra is happily married and has 5 children from ages 4 to 20. She has been working with the WIC program at the Bradley County Health Department since 2003. She offers breastfeeding support in the form of peer counseling; she provides counseling, support, and education to women planning to or currently breastfeeding.

What lead her to this type of work?

Kendra had her oldest child just before age 17. She wanted to breastfeed her baby but misinformation and lack of support, lead her to be unsuccessful. When she had her second baby a friend gave her the support she needed, and she was able to breastfeed for over a year. Kendra feels strongly that women need to operate in community. Kendra has a gift for encouraging others and decided to use her experiences in breastfeeding to support others.

What breastfeeding services are offered?

During office hours, Kendra provides breastfeeding support to moms receiving WIC. However, after office hours she is also available to answer questions or provide support to other women. Kendra provides consults prenatally to encourage breastfeeding. A breastfeeding class is held at the Bradley County Health Department for women in their third trimester. This class educates women on proper latch, milk supply, and other common questions. Kendra is also able to provide breastfeeding support at the hospital when your baby is born.

Common challenges to breastfeeding?

Kendra stated not receiving enough support during and immediately after birth is the most common obstacle she sees women facing. For example, having immediate, uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact with baby immediately following birth will help facilitate the breastfeeding relationship. Talk with your care provider to find out if this is standard practice.

One piece of advice for moms

Kendra emphasized the importance of taking things one hour at a time. She encouraged moms to live in the moment and to not worry about perfection. She reminded women that your babies need you just as you are. In her words, “if you focus on the relationship [with your baby] everything falls into place.”

Other Bradley County Health Department services

Kendra shared that many women may not know that if you are breastfeeding your baby, you can continue to receive WIC until your baby is one. The Bradley County Health Department offers breast pumps to moms who qualify. To qualify moms should be exclusively breastfeeding and returning to work or school, or be a mom of multiples or a premature infant. There are also washable nursing pads and insulated tote bags to transport expressed milk available to moms. The Bradley County Health Department also offers a free program called HUGS (Helping Us Grow Successfully). HUGS is a voluntary, home based program. In regular home visit parents receive information and support on child development, school readiness, area resources, etc.

Best way to contact

To reach Kendra during office hours call the Bradley County Health Department at (423) 728-7020 extension 102. To reach Kendra after hours call or text (423) 593-1310. You can also always stop in to to see her in office.