Opelousas General Health System Hosts its
13 Annual Community Baby Shower
Opelousas, LA, 07/29/2025 – In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated internationally August
1-7 and National Breastfeeding Month, OGHS will host a free Community Baby Shower for all expecting and
new 2025 mothers. It is scheduled for Thursday, August 7, from 4:30-6:30 pm at Opelousas Civic Center,
located at 1638 Creswell Lane Ext, I-49, Exit 18, in Opelousas. Door prizes and refreshments will be available.
The baby shower features OGHS Women’s Services staff and numerous community agencies offering
education and information on topics such as pre-natal care, breastfeeding, and new parent resources.
Pre-registration is not required, and this event is free. For more information visit OGHS on Facebook.
“Support for new and expecting moms is so important. This community baby shower is a wonderful
opportunity to learn and prepare for parenthood. I encourage moms to attend and take advantage of the free
information, gifts, and support,” said Julissa Braimoh, M.D., Opelousas General Women’s Health.
Breastfeeding is an important part of fostering a healthy start in newborns. According to American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP), breast milk is the preferred and most appropriate source of nutrition for infants, adapting over
time to meet the changing needs of the growing baby. Breastfeeding is also a proven primary prevention
strategy, protecting both infants and mothers from a host of chronic and acute diseases and conditions and
building a foundation for life-long health and wellness. The act of breastfeeding builds a strong emotional
connection between the mother and infant, a bond which lasts a lifetime and evidence-based research indicates
that infants and children who are breastfed are at a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS),
infections of the ear, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract, asthma, meningitis and obesity.
Opelousas General Health System is proud to have obtained The Gift designation, which is an evidence-based
designation program for Louisiana birthing facilities designed to increase breastfeeding rates and hospital
success by improving the quality of maternity services and enhancing patient–centered care. The Gift
designation gives OGHS a better opportunity to achieve further certifications and accreditations, as well as meet
national and international quality measures and standards of care.
About Opelousas General Health System
Since 1957 , Opelousas General Health System has been dedicated to the provision of quality healthcare through
its strong commitment and high standards. Central to the success of OGHS’s commitment for excellence is the
presence of an outstanding and highly qualified staff of physicians, nurses, technologists, and other personnel
who provide professional treatment in a caring environment. Serving as the region’s referral medical center,
OGHS is a 181-bed, full service medical center, and the area’s most comprehensive community healthcare
facility offering a wide range of medical specialties and state-of-the-art technology. Visit us at
www.opelousasgeneral.com .
