Sarah Ehlers, RN, BSN, CLC, is a lactation counselor with UofL Health – UofL Hospital – Center for Women & Infants.
“I help educate new parents about breastfeeding and help them learn how to feed their baby. I also educate and support staff to care for breastfeeding parents,” Sarah explained.
Sarah has been with UofL Health since 2008. She worked on 8 West as a nursing assistant while she attended nursing school. When she graduated from Indiana University Southeast, she transferred to 3 South which is the mother/baby (or postpartum) unit.
“Our team’s goal is to increase the exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding initiation rates among our mothers,” she said. “We are currently certified as a Baby Friendly Hospital, which means that we work to promote breastfeeding as the best way to feed the baby and help moms reach their breastfeeding goals, whatever those may be. The lactation team gives new moms compassionate and evidence-based care so that new parents can learn to take care of their baby in a supportive, caring and clinically competent environment.”
Sarah shared the lactation team works hard to support new parents in their breastfeeding journey. “Breastfeeding is the best nutrition for baby and has many benefits for both mom and baby,” Sarah said. “Breastfeeding sets baby up for a healthy childhood.”
Sarah’s favorite thing about working at UofL Health is the people she’s met. “I have made so many close friends working here. I met my best friend when we were both nurses on 3 South! I have never worked a day here when I haven’t felt like I could reach out to someone for help. We know how to do teamwork here.”
This is probably why one piece of wisdom she shares is, “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
A native of Salem, Ind., Sarah loves to camp and hike and often spends her weekends camping with her extended family.
She’s currently listening to the podcast This American Life and enjoys a good detective or mystery novel. She offsets the suspense by watching reruns of Friends for a good laugh (after all, Sarah says it is a classic).
If you run into Sarah, be a friend and say hello! She would love to get to know you.