Jefferson Abington has been re-designated as a Baby-Friendly hospital and remains the only Montgomery County hospital to earn the recognition from Baby-Friendly USA, an accrediting body for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).

The BFHI helps to ensure that families are equipped with resources to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding. Baby-Friendly hospitals undergo a rigorous review process and site visit and their facilities are evaluated for adherence to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding families.

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.

“It is an honor to receive re-designation as a Baby-Friendly hospital. I am very proud that our talented physicians, midwives, nurses and support staff who provide prenatal, maternity and postpartum care have been recognized with this important designation. This recognition reflects our commitment to providing high-quality care and cultivating a supportive environment for breastfeeding families and for those who cannot or decide not to breastfeed,” said Brian Sweeney, RN, MBA, FACHE, president, Jefferson Health – North Region.

In addition to education and breastfeeding support services, Jefferson Abington has international board-certified lactation consultants, counselors and nurses who are specially trained to help all families accomplish their breastfeeding and newborn feeding goals.

For more about Baby-Friendly USA and the BFHI, you can visit babyfriendlyusa.org.

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Photo: Jefferson Abington