Hi-Desert Medical Center's Special Additions Family Birthing Center is anticipating a final site visit in June to receive official designation as a "Baby Friendly" hospital.  Designation as a Baby Friendly hospital requires a rigorous, two day, on-site assessment carried out by internationally trained professional assessors, which includes interviews with patients and staff regarding the facility's breastfeeding practices.

    

     The staff at Special Additions Family Birthing Center promotes strong mother and baby bonding with breastfeeding education as a priority.  "At HDMC, health and prevention of illness is our priority," said Tammy Aguilar, RN, IBCLC, prenatal education manager.  "This begins at birth with early, exclusive breastfeeding promotion and support throughout the first year of life."  Working with Baby Friendly USA staff, the hospital has implemented the 10-steps required for certification.  During the lengthy qualification process, the hospital is required to assess, review and refine its policies and procedures to optimally promote, protect and support breastfeeding.  During this time, birthing center nursing staff received extensive lactation training.

    

     The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), launched in 1991, is a global initiative sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.  Based on the "Ten Steps to Succesful Breastfeeding," this prestigious international award recognizes hospitals and birthing facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their newborn.

    

     In the United States, the benefits of breastfeeding could translate into millions of dollars of savings to our healthcare system through decreased hospitalizations and pediatric clinic visits.  A decreased risk of diarrhea, respiratory and ear infections and allergic skin disorders are among the many benefits of breastfeeding to infants in the industrialized world.

    

     As of December 2009, there were only 86 hospitals and birthing centers in the United States with the Baby Friendly designation.

    

  

To learn about the 10-steps implemented at Special Additions Family Birthing Center