St. Joseph's Hospital - Breese Services Women's Health Having A Baby Baby Friendly

Baby Friendly

Join us on our journey!

Our hospital has been named a Baby-Friendly birth facility. A prestigious international recognition, the designation is awarded as part of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).

You and Your Baby

A global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the BFHI encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this award recognizes birth facilities that offer mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies. Many of these practices also help to promote bonding between mom and baby regardless of feeding choice, so all moms and babies benefit from the Baby-Friendly care. Currently, there are more than 19,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide,but less than 200 of them in the United States.

The Baby-Friendly Designation

The Baby-Friendly designation is awarded after a rigorous on-site survey is completed and can only be maintained by continuing to practice the Ten Steps as demonstrated by quality processes.
Baby-Friendly care focuses on keeping the mom and baby together. This practice helps to stabilize the baby more quickly, enhances bonding between mom and baby and supports successful breastfeeding.

These practices include:

Minimal separation of mother and baby
Sacred Hour after delivery for undisturbed bonding
Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth
Rooming in 24 hours a day
No pacifiers given to breastfeeding babies
All staff trained in breastfeeding support
Ongoing support available after discharge
Education of families on bonding with baby

For more information on BFHI and the Baby-Friendly designation, please go to www.babyfriendlyusa.org. Baby-Friendly is a trademark of the United States Fund for UNICEF and is awarded by Baby-Friendly USA in East Sandwich, MA.