Hospital Joins Campaign To Increase Breastfeeding Rates

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Northside Hospital-Cherokee has been selected to be among the first hospitals in the nation to join the EMPower Breastfeeding Initiative to enhance maternity care practices and work toward achieving the Baby Friendly USA© designation.

EMPower is a hospital-based quality improvement program that focuses on maternity care practices leading to Baby-Friendly designation.

Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, EMPower is aimed at increasing breastfeeding rates throughout the United States and promoting and supporting optimal breastfeeding practices toward the ultimate goal of improving the public’s health.

“Northside Hospital-Cherokee is committed to promoting breastfeeding and its benefits to our patients and within the community, and we are excited to join the EMPower Initiative,” said Beverly Hunt, RN, FACHE, chief nursing officer, Northside Hospital-Cherokee. “We will be working on this initiative over the next two years and hope to be able to announce our Baby-Friendly designation as we move into our new home at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee replacement hospital.”

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, launched in 1996, designates as Baby-Friendly hospitals that meet the criteria for women to initiate and continue with breastfeeding. The effort supports evidence-based practices for prenatal and maternity settings known as the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, an effort to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that complete the Ten Steps.

As part of this effort, Northside will receive ongoing support in breastfeeding practices from experienced coaches, as well as training and resource support in lactation education.

The EMPower Team is led by Abt Associates, Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute, and the Center for Public Health Quality. For more information, visit www.empowerbreastfeeding.org.

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Photo credit: Northside Hospital