MIDSTATE IS BECOMING A BABY FRIENDLY HOSPITAL

The Family Birthing Center is pleased to announce that MidState Medical Center has applied for Baby Friendly designation through the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). BFHI is an international global initiative sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in conjunction with Baby Friendly USA, a non-profit organization.

The program recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that provide optimal levels of care for infant feeding and mother-baby bonding and comply with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. Complying with the International Code requires hospitals to refrain from accepting free or low-cost formula, bottles, pacifiers, and nipples.

The goals of the Baby Friendly Initiative dovetail breastfeeding with American healthcare themes of quality improvement and evidence-based care. Facilities embark upon a journey that necessitates them to thoroughly evaluate their current practices and adopt new guidelines. Achieving designation requires a facility to voluntarily implement the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and demonstrate the effectives of the program to a team of on-site assessors. These 10 steps are endorsed by major maternal and infant health and governmental authorities in the United States.

If you live in central Connecticut and are considering where to have your baby, keep in mind that MidState offers a comfortable setting, the convenience of being close to home, a more personalized approach and, above all, an experienced and attentive staff that will give you and your family the comfort of knowing that you and your baby are in good hands during this incredible time of your lives.

Some of the steps include the following recommendations:

• Room-in with your healthy infant day and night (24 hours) unless there are medical reasons for separation. This allows healthy mothers and babies the opportunity for skin-to-skin contact and learning baby's early feeding cues. Physical contact and nourishment are important for both baby and mother.
• Feed your baby on demand. Recognition of early hunger cues such as fidgeting, rapid eye movement, or sucking of the mouth will allow mothers to feed baby before he or she cries. Some babies "cluster-feed" and feed for several hours, especially at night. Crying may be for other reasons such as an infant needing to be soothed.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends delay of pacifier introduction for breastfeeding infants until one month of age to ensure that breastfeeding will be well established. Feeding your baby on demand should satisfy their hunger needs.
• Provide breast milk exclusively for the first six months. The AAP recommends breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months and thereafter with complementary foods for at least one year or beyond. The WHO and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continue with complementary foods for at least two years beyond.
• Avoid formula supplementation unless it is medically necessary as this may interfere with the development of optimal breastfeeding. If supplementation is necessary, pumped breast milk should be offered first. If more supplementation is needed in addition to pumped breast milk, then formula will be used.
• Avoid artificial nipples as they may interfere with breastfeeding. If supplementation is necessary, it should be given via cup, feeding tube, syringe, or spoon, and then bottle.

Although breastfeeding is most beneficial for infants, there are a few conditions under which breastfeeding may not be in the best interest of the infant. Talk with your doctor or breastfeeding specialist to discuss the best option for you.

To learn more visit:

  Baby Friendly USA

  American Academy of Pediatrics Breastfeeding Information

  CDC Breastfeeding Information

  US Surgeon General Call To Action (Breastfeeding)

  US Breastfeeding Committe

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