Holzer Health System Receives Prestigious Baby-Friendly Designation
Holzer Health System is proud to announce that it has achieved the highly prestigious international Baby-Friendly designation after a rigorous review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for bestowing this certification in the United States.
This distinguished honor demonstrates that Holzer is adhering to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. These standards are built on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a set of evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for optimal infant feeding support in the precious first days of a newborn’s life.
The positive health effects of breastfeeding are well documented and widely recognized by health authorities throughout the world. For example, the Surgeon General’s 2011 Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding stated that “Breast milk is uniquely suited to the human infant’s nutritional needs and is a live substance with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against a host of illnesses and diseases for both mothers and children.”
Holzer joins a growing list of more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world, 595 of which are in the United States. These facilities provide an environment that supports breastfeeding while respecting every woman’s right to make the best decision for herself and her family.
“Holzer has long been a recognized leader in the care of women and newborns,” said Brandon Coughenour, BSN, RN, Director of Acute Care Specialty Services, Holzer Health System. “This designation is a tribute to our commitment to ensuring that every woman who delivers a baby at our facility is given the resources, information and support needed to help her and her baby get the best, healthiest start in life.”
About Holzer Health System Holzer Health System is a not-for-profit multi-disciplinary regional health system with locations throughout southeastern Ohio and western West Virginia. The system includes two hospital locations, multiple clinical locations, long-term care entities, and more than 180 providers in more than 30 medical specialties. Holzer provides the entire continuum of care for the communities we serve. For more information, visit www.holzer.org.
About Baby-Friendly USA
As the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the United States, Baby-Friendly USA is responsible for upholding the highest standards in infant feeding care by coordinating and conducting all activities necessary to confer the prestigious Baby-Friendly designation and ensure the widespread adoption of the BFHI in the US. Learn more about Baby-Friendly USA and the BFHI at www.babyfriendlyusa.org.
