Erlanger East Hospital has demonstrated that their policies and care practices for new mothers meet the gold standard for mother/baby care practices related to breastfeeding.
Staff is trained regarding care of breastfeeding mothers and babies. Babies stay close to their mother’s right after birth so that they can feed as soon as they are ready, and healthy babies stay in the room with their mothers, day and night. The hospital also offers breastfeeding support after discharge.
“Erlanger demonstrates its determination to provide the highest quality maternity care by achieving Baby-Friendly status at both campuses,” stated Dr. James Bolton, an OB/GYN physician at Erlanger Women’s Institute for Specialized Health. “Baby friendly promotes maternal and newborn health, as well as improved bonding by promoting immediate skin to skin contact and early breast feeding.The training involves all levels of hospital personnel and even extends into the Erlanger OB/GYN practices.”
Baby-Friendly USA, Inc is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (“BFHI”), a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative 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 prestigious international award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.
There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Currently there are 498 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States. The “Baby-Friendly” re-designation is given after a rigorous on-site survey is completed. The award is maintained by continuing to practice the Ten Steps as demonstrated by quality processes.
For more information about women’s services, visit erlanger.org/womensservices.
