North Wellington Health Care (NWHC) has achieved designation from the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada under the World Health Organization and UNICEF’s Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI).
NWHC is the fifth hospital in Ontario and the first level one perinatal hospital to attain the BFI designation. (level one perinatal hospitals provide care to uncomplicated, low-risk pregnant women and newborns.)
The Baby-Friendly Initiative is a global program launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. Official designation involves successful compliance with criteria outlined in the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding as established by the WHO and UNICEF as well as Practice Outcome Indicators for Hospitals as set out by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada.
The hospital initiative is aimed at ensuring all levels of the organization promote and support a baby-friendly environment, emphasizing the importance of breast feeding for infant health.
“NWHC’s staff and physicians, at both Louise Marshall Hospital and Palmerston and District Hospital, worked incredibly hard to achieve this designation,” states NWHC president and CEO Stephen Street.
“They have created a culture that protects, promotes, and supports breastfeeding, which evidence indicates will lead to healthier children, and in the long run, healthier communities.”
NWHC patient care manager and BFI lead Nancy Cleary explained, “Work to achieve BFI designation has been a four-year process, with all staff, physicians and midwives participating. This work reflects North Wellington’s desire to provide mothers and infants with the best of care.”
Some of the work to achieve BFI designation included:
– placing babies directly skin to skin with their mother following birth;
– supporting rooming-in, so babies remain with mother following birth;
– continual best practice breastfeeding education for nurses;
– parental support to make informed decisions;
– development of parent information materials;
– ongoing surveillance of breastfeeding rates; and
– adherence to the WHO Code for Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
NWHC does not accept financial support from companies that produce artificial feedings or pacifiers. It does not allow formula companies to advertise or distribute free samples in its hospitals.
“The BFI designation supports [NWHC’s] mission. By working together we are able to advance exceptional care and wellness for our patients and their families,” stated Street.
