Aren’t All Hospitals Baby Friendly?

The answer to this question is No, not in the real sense of Baby Friendly. The words Baby Friendly Hospital mean the hospital has achieved the “Gold Standard” in maternal-child care, a designation from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). In simple terms, a hospital that is Baby Friendly offers the correct information about feeding choices for an infant to every mother who delivers with them so the mother can make the best choice possible. Once the decision is made, a Baby Friendly hospital then supports the woman in her decision by teaching her information and skills necessary for her to feel successful in her choice.

Is breastfeeding that important? Actually, Yes. If more babies received breast milk the infant death rate would drop by 13%. A breastfed baby has better overall health because of the one-of-a-kind benefits offered by mother’s milk. Breastfeeding promotes a healthy digestive system for the baby, it is easy to digest and the perfect food. It can help baby stay healthier by preventing ear infections, stomach viruses, diarrhea, colds, asthma, childhood leukemia and both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It decreases the risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) as well as reducing the risk for food allergies and sensitivities. Breastfed infants are less likely to be overweight. And the special bond that develops during the feeding interactions between baby and mom is one-of-a-kind! Mothers notice that breastfeeding can save time and help them lose the “baby weight”. It helps them stay healthier as well - by decreasing the risk of ovarian, breast and uterine cancers and diabetes, anemia and osteoporosis (brittle bones). It costs less to breastfeed – the price of formula alone is costly. Then add in bottles, replacement nipples, time it takes to sterilize equipment. Not to mention the costs for added visits to the pediatrician if baby gets sick. And if mom works outside of the home she probably will not need to take off work so often due to the baby being ill when they don’t receive the antibodies from mom’s milk (which help them fight off viruses and bacteria).

A hospital seeking to be Baby Friendly is on a journey; one that changes a) day to day practice, b) the education offered to patients and families, and c) improves the skills of its maternity staff. This journey takes time to make changes to policies, examine procedures and perfecting them to support infant feeding. Completing staff education and verifying that they have the skills necessary to be supportive may be expensive. Obstetricians are encouraged to educate their patients in making feeding choices. All of these changes are research-based as best practice. In Rockford today, all three hospitals are Baby Friendly. In some ways this makes it easier – all the pediatricians, family practice doctors, and obstetricians will have the skills necessary to support moms and babies. Delivering at a Baby Friendly hospital means patients there can feel more confident and satisfied about their care.