Published in Moms & Dads Today magazine, January/February 2018
Recognized for Supporting Moms and Babies
St. Luke’s Earns Baby-Friendly Designation
The term “Baby-Friendly” can be confusing. Of course, you hope
every birthing center is friendly while caring for babies and their families.
But to become a designated Baby-Friendly facility and be recognized by
Baby-Friendly USA is a huge accomplishment. It means a hospital has made
a significant effort to support the way babies and moms are set up for
success when it comes to feeding, bonding and sleeping. After four years,
and with the help of a guiding committee and the entire staff, St. Luke’s
earned its Baby-Friendly designation in September 2017 and it goes through 2022.
“We’ve always taken great care of moms and babies but this
initiative gives us the opportunity to better educate and support our
moms, increasing their confidence and skills to care for their baby before
leaving the hospital after delivery,” said Lori Swanson, RN, Maternal
Child Health Nurse Manager.
According to Baby-Friendly USA, the accrediting body for the U.S. Baby-Friendly
Hospital Initiative (BFHI), “Becoming a Baby-Friendly facility is
a comprehensive, detailed and thorough journey toward excellence in providing
evidence-based maternity care with the goal of achieving optimal infant
feeding outcomes and mother/baby bonding.”
“This initiative is helpful in giving moms the best support we can
to breastfeed their baby, which is certainly not always an easy thing
to do,” said Dr. Amanda Webb, St. Luke’s Pediatrician. “Moms
need encouragement in order to not get easily frustrated and want to give
up.”
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global program launched
by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s
Fund (UNICEF). Swanson and Dr. Webb were part of the committee that helped
guide St. Luke’s through this initiative. Some of the steps taken
to earn the Baby-Friendly designation include educational learning for
all Birthing Center care providers, a hands-on workshop, training, updated
policies and practices, and adding personal support in a number of ways
including a free breastfeeding support group. There is also more education
offered in any clinic setting during prenatal visits to support moms in
making the decisions best for them. St. Luke’s is now equipped to
offer more opportunities, education and support for our new families.
“We now offer an AfterCare Clinic that St. Luke’s moms can
visit for free any time and as many times as needed, breastfeeding support
groups for moms, and on-staff lactation certified nurses,” Swanson said.
Another major shift is keeping mom and baby together after delivery, and
getting them skin-to-skin as soon as possible (including after a cesarean
section). Keeping baby nearby helps both mom and baby sleep better, and
helps mom identify feeding cues early on.
“The whole idea is to promote cue-based feeding, which means mom
recognizes when baby is hungry and initiates on baby’s schedule
rather than watching the clock,” explained Dr. Webb. “We know
that if you initiate feeding when baby is showing early signs of hunger,
then that feeding and getting back to sleep after will be more successful.”
According to Baby-Friendly USA, recent studies have shown that women who
breastfeed experience decreased risks of breast and ovarian cancer, anemia
and osteoporosis. Breastfed children have far fewer and less serious illnesses
than those who never receive breast milk, including a reduced risk of
SIDS, childhood cancers and diabetes.
Already, Dr. Webb is noticing the positive influence of incorporating Baby-Friendly
ideas into the care St. Luke’s provides. She’s seeing an increase
in patients who are exclusively breastfeeding when bringing babies home
and in how long breastfeeding continues. Both milestones provide important
benefits to babies.
“As a pediatrician, I really want to emphasize health and wellness
early, and prevent a problem before it begins,” Dr. Webb said. “Breastfeeding
provides not only a lot of health benefits for the baby — such as
a lower chance of obesity and infection — but there’s also
important bonding that happens.”
Dr. Webb also acknowledges that breastfeeding isn’t the easiest thing
in the world, so offering the guidance and support no matter what is a
big part of her care.
Combined with the new St. Luke’s Birthing Center that created a warm,
open environment, earning this designation is another step toward making
sure families are comfortable and supported in their birth experience
and beyond.
BELOW: St. Luke's Birthing Center staff accepts the Baby Friendly award
this past October