Mon Health Medical Center Earns Prestigious Baby-Friendly Re-Designation
Posted Date: 7/19/2023
Mon Health Medical Center Hazel Ruby McQuain Birth Center
The Mon Health Medical Center Family Birth Center is proud to announce that it has achieved the highly prestigious international Baby-Friendly re-designation after a rigorous review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for bestowing this certification in the United States. The facility first achieved this designation in 2017 and was designated again in 2023.
This distinguished honor demonstrates that Mon Health Medical Center is adhering to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. These standards are built on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a set of evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for optimal infant feeding support in the precious first days of a newborn’s life.
“We are extremely proud to be recognized for the hard work of our team members throughout the Baby-Friendly process,” said Dr. Shane Prettyman, OBGYN and Co-Medical Director of Mon Health Medical Center Women’s Health Services. “Our Family Birth Center is committed to providing the support, education, and resources moms need to successfully initiate breastfeeding and continue breastfeeding when they leave our care.”
The positive health effects of breastfeeding are well documented and widely recognized by health authorities throughout the world. For example, the Surgeon General’s 2011 Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding stated that “Breast milk is uniquely suited to the human infant’s nutritional needs and is a live substance with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against a host of illnesses and diseases for both mothers and children.”
Mon Health Medical Center remains on the list of more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth center throughout the world, 604 of which are in the U.S. These facilities provide an environment that supports breastfeeding while respecting every woman’s right to make the best decision for herself and her family.
“We have long been recognized as a leader in the care of women and newborns,” said Dr. Craig Herring, OBGYN and Co-Medical Director of Mon Health Medical Center Women’s Health Services. “This redesignation is a tribute to our dedication to ensuring that every woman who delivers at our facility is given the resources they need to help her and her baby get the best, healthiest start in life.”
To learn more about OBGYN services at Mon Health System, visit MonHealth.com/OBGYN.
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