St. Francis is a Designated “Baby Friendly” Hospital
Hospitals may voluntarily apply for a “Baby Friendly” designation which promotes, protects and supports healthy breastfeeding practices. Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - St. Francis was awarded the "Baby Friendly Hospital" designation after undergoing an extensive accreditation process.
The Baby Friendly Hospital initiative is a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and families.
The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)
Healthy breastfeeding practices and support are outlined through “The 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding for Hospitals” developed by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)/World Health Organization (WHO).
The steps for the United States are
- Maintain a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
- Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.
- Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
- Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
- Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants.
- Give infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
- Practice “rooming in” – allows mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.
- Encourage unrestricted breastfeeding.
- Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants.
- Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.
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