Redlands Community Hospital Receives Baby-Friendly Designation From World Health Organization and UNICEF

Baby-Friendly USA, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United States Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has announced that Redlands Community Hospital has received recognition as a Baby-Friendly birth facility. Being a baby-friendly facility means that the hospital ensures that the maternity care practices provide education and counseling on breastfeeding to new mothers.

“This special distinction confirms and recognizes what Redlands Community Hospital strives to achieve for our new mothers and infants,” says Carolyn Arnold, the hospital’s Director of Women and Infant Services, who led the Baby-Friendly Initiative. “We continually try to become a better, safer environment to support our community in their short term stay and long term health.”

More than two decades of research has established that breast milk is perfectly suited to nourish infants and protect them from illness. Breast-fed infants have lower rates of hospital admissions, ear infections, diarrhea, rashes, allergies, and other medical problems than bottle-fed babies, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Baby-Friendly USA is the U.S. Authority for the implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global effort to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

“This great achievement is the result of a lot of planning and action to make sure moms and their babies are off to a healthy start,” said Arnold. “We increased our staff training, changed aspects of delivery care and promoted breastfeeding so that patients understood the benefits that breast milk has to offer.”

  There are more than 19,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. The “Baby-Friendly” designation is given after a rigorous on-site survey is completed.  The award is maintained by continuing to practice by quality processes.

“Breastfeeding has long term health benefits for not only the child, but the mother as well,” adds Arnold. “Redlands Community Hospital hopes to boost breastfeeding rates by eliminating formula marketing to the families and creating a comfortable environment that supports breastfeeding.”

Nikyah Thomas-Pfeiffer is marketing manager for Redlands Community Hospital.