INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center recently received re-designation as a Baby-Friendly birth facility. Baby-Friendly USA is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.
INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center recently received re-designation as a Baby-Friendly birth facility. Baby-Friendly USA is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.
The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for mothers and their babies by providing information, confidence and skills training. This prestigious international award focuses on breastfeeding education and support, safe infant feeding practices and bonding initiatives like skin-to-skin contact.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics views breastfeeding as a public health imperative and also an equity issue. World Bank leaders have said breastfeeding provides an equal opportunity to all children for optimal development and that breastfeeding is a child’s first inoculation against death, disease and poverty,” says Vicky Harter, a nursing supervisor for the Women’s and Children’s Services lactation units at INTEGRIS Health.
“While Baby-Friendly certainly emphasizes the health benefits of breastfeeding, Baby-Friendly guidelines support all feeding methods, and our practices respect the mother’s right to decide how to feed her baby. Baby-Friendly hospitals strive to support each mother in fully understanding her options and weighing the pros and cons of each infant feeding method. Ultimately, the mother’s informed decision is fully respected.”
There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Currently, there are more than 600 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States. The Baby-Friendly designation is given after a rigorous on-site survey is completed.
