I have been a lactation consultant at Beth Israel Medical Center since 2001. Mount Sinai Beth Israel has been working on the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. “Baby-Friendly” is the official description of an initiative created by the World Health Organization and UNICEF to encourage hospitals all over the world to promote healthy feeding choices for infants. Achieving baby-friendly designation is a lengthy process and involves a thorough site visit. There are currently about 130 hospitals in the United States that have achieved this designation. In 2010, Beth Israel was awarded a grant from the New York City Department of Health to pursue this designation.
Supporting Moms Who Breastfeed
So what does it mean to be “Baby-Friendly?” By participating in the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, it is Beth Israel’s goal to educate families on the benefits of breastfeeding and to support every mother to breastfeed if she chooses. As a Baby-Friendly hospital, it is our obligation to teach safe infant formula preparation to those mothers who choose to formula feed. Being Baby-Friendly is NOT intended to force anyone to breastfeed. Steps towards becoming a Baby-Friendly hospital include revising policies, purchasing rather than accepting free infant formula, rejuvenating the prenatal education program, and educating staff.
Educating Staff on Breastfeeding
Staff members who have direct patient contact with mothers and babies must be educated on the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative’s goals. Some of our staff members have taken a training course to become certified lactation counselors (CLC). Beth Israel’s board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLC) are now in the process of providing education for our nursing staff, unit secretaries, and patient care assistants. Physicians are also required to take continuing education courses on breastfeeding.
The Right Thing to Do
Staffs in the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative around the world report a great feeling of pride in their accomplishment and patient satisfaction scores go way up. During initial discussions on why we should strive for Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative designation, one of our doctors said simply, “We should do it because it is the right thing to do for our mothers and babies.”
Rachel Levine, IBCLC, is a Board Certified Lactation Consultant in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Beth Israel Medical Center.
It sounds like a great initiative. While I chose to nurse my son for the first 14 months of his life, I was grateful for the “free” formula that was given to me at the hospital (those first 40 days are rough!). On the other hand, I left with 2 huge bags of baby bottles of formula, and so I hope there can be a balance between providing some free formula and then requiring purchase. I think the decision, and commitment, to breastfeed starts way before the baby is born. I was very grateful for Rachel’s expert advice, positive encouragement, and realistic picture of breastfeeding. Thank you!