FARMINGTON — The Franklin Memorial Hospital Maternal and Child Health Unit is expanding the support it offers new mothers with the availability of Medela Symphony breast pump rentals.

“According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), human milk is uniquely superior for infant feeding and is the preferred feeding for all infants,” said MaryAnne Goodwin, FMH Maternal and Child Health director. “We — along with the AAP — support exclusive breast milk for the first six months of life and continued breast feeding for at least 12 months and after, for as long as is mutually desired.”

Recently, Franklin Memorial Hospital achieved the 2010 Healthy People goal of a 75 percent breast feeding initiation rate among new mothers and is ranked the sixth highest in Maine, out of the 33 hospitals that deliver babies.

“This is data we are proud of and, as providers, we want to do everything we can to support that breast feeding continues,” she added. That support includes 13 lactation consultants on staff who are available to help mothers establish nursing patterns, answer concerns about breastfeeding challenges and provide reassurance from initiation through the duration of the breastfeeding period.

Anyone interested in renting the pumps may call 779-2295 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rental rates are $50 a month.