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.
I love the way this is explained. Recently on The View Whoopie Goldberg said she felt the initiative was forcing mothers to breastfeed, taking away their rights. She was so uninformed! Educating about the healthier feeding choice is much different than telling someone what to do. More importantly, we look to our health providers to give us accurate, evidence based information. Creating an environment that supports breastfeeding is key to a healthier nation. Rise up America and go Baby Friendly! Thanks Rachel!