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In order to become a designated Baby-Friendly Hospital in the United States, hospitals must have the following common sense policies and practices in place:
- A written breastfeeding policy.
- All health care staff must have the skills necessary to implement the breastfeeding policy.
- All pregnant women must be informed about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
- Staff must help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
- New mamas must be taught breastfeeding skills, even if separated from their baby.
- Newborns may not be given food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
- Rooming in, or allowing mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day must be the norm.
- Breastfeeding on demand should be encouraged.
- Pacifiers or artificial nipples should not be given to breastfeeding infants.
- Breastfeeding support groups should be established and mamas should be referred to said groups.
BFHI won’t solve everything. For example, back in 2001 there were only three designated Baby-Friendly hospitals in Oregon. My son was born at one of them, but that doesn’t mean breastfeeding was a piece of cake. I still had one very non-supportive nurse, along with one bad news pediatrician pushing formula at my son. Luckily, the rest of the staff rocked and were very pro-breastfeeding.
My point though, is that a Baby-Friendly designation is just one piece of the puzzle. For one thing, as noted above, there are only 105 Baby-Friendly hospitals in the U.S. If there’s not one near you, ask your local hospital about the breastfeeding policies and supports they do have in place. To get breastfeeding off to a good start, you’ll also need some basic breastfeeding advice and a decent birth plan. A breastfeeding support group, such as your local La Leche League, and/or doula support can also be helpful.
The bottom line – while locating a baby-friendly hospital can be useful, it’s up to you, the parents, to be pro-active when it comes to breastfeeding and finding the support you need, if and when you need it.
+ Find a Baby-Friendly hospital or birth center in the United States
+ FREE Online Breastfeeding Chat & Learn – Every Thursday at Noon EST
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Great information, but I don’t appreciate that the hospitals have to pay several thousands of dollars each year to be recognized as a Baby-Friendly hospital. I had all three of my children at Hillcrest Hospital in Cleveland, OH and they were VERY helpful. They encouraged me to breastfeed, they were available at every push of the call button and I can call them any time I need additional assistance since the birth of my child. Please take the time to research the closest hospital that delivers babies, take a tour and talk to staff!
Prentice Women’s Hospital in Downtown Chicago was EXTREMELY baby-friendly in regards to my breastfeeding success. I had determination to breastfeed- but no skill, understanding or even social support. Every nurse helped me, physically guiding me on my clumsy attempts to latch my daughter on. And there was a licensed lactation consultant on staff full time who helped me with a inverted nipple issue. I breastfed my daughter exclusively until she was 10 months old (when I decided enough was enough, I wanted my boobs back!). This hospital should be added to the list. A GREAT place to have a baby