For Hospitals & Medical PracticesBreastfeeding is not universally encouraged or supported at all US hospitals. The World Health Organization and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) launched the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative in 1992 as a primary intervention strategy for promoting breastfeeding and strengthening national health systems. Here is a list of steps that hospitals and medical practices can take to establish a Baby-Friendly environment and models of Baby-Friendly hospitals. UNICEF recommends Ten Steps to Implementing Successful Breastfeeding Practices and Policies in every facility providing maternity services and care for newborn infants. Excellent Models of Baby-Friendly HospitalsThe Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) supports hospitals in giving breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies. The BHFI lists baby-friendly hospitals in the U.S. as of February 2008. Boston Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, increased breastfeeding rates by 29 percent after becoming a Baby-Friendly Hospital. The Ban the Bags national campaign encourages families and hospitals to remove formula company marketing from maternity hospitals. The campaign lists U.S. bag-free hospitals and birth centers.
Breastfeeding at Local HospitalsIn an effort to gather information concerning area hospitals, we invite you to forward information about breastfeeding practices at local hospitals to breastfeeding@momobile.org with the subject heading Breastfeeding at Hospitals.
Last Updated June 2008 |