What Is a Baby-Friendly Hospital and Why Give Birth at One? - Baby Chick
Menu
Subscribe Search
Home > Birth > Tips

What Is a Baby-Friendly Hospital and Why Give Birth at One?

Learn about the Baby-Friendly Hospital initiative, the benefits of giving birth at this type of hospital, and how to find one near you.

Updated August 19, 2024
Share
  • Link copied
In a baby-friendly hospital setting, a woman holds a newborn against her chest. The baby has its eyes closed and mouth open, while the mother gazes at the infant with a gentle expression. A medical device is attached to her arm, ensuring both are well-monitored.

When you’re pregnant, you have lots of decisions to make. For instance, you’ll need to choose an OB-GYN or midwife. Along with that decision, you’ll have to decide on a place of birth. And if you choose to give birth in a hospital, you must also consider different hospitals’ reputations and various recognitions. But have you ever heard of a Baby-Friendly Hospital? Many of us would assume that all labor and delivery units are naturally “baby-friendly.” Believe it or not, not all hospitals receive this designation!

In this article, we’ll explain what a Baby-Friendly Hospital is and its benefits. Additionally, we’ll cover how you can find one that may be local to you.

What Is a Baby-Friendly Hospital?

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) The Baby-Friendly Hospital initiative in 1991. This initiative aims to help hospitals and places of birth offer breastfeeding support.1 A hospital is considered “Baby-Friendly” when it offers each of the designated “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.”2 This set of procedures and practices guides how hospitals should support breastfeeding mothers and their babies.3,4

Not only that, but accreditation is fairly rigorous. You can be certain that the hospital and all staff members have gone through extensive training.1 This ensures they have the most up-to-date information on maternity care and infant feeding to share with moms and families.

What Are the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding”?

So, what exactly makes a hospital “Baby-Friendly”? A hospital with this accreditation has met the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” required to promote successful breastfeeding and mother-baby bonding.2 Here’s a summary of the evidence-based critical management procedures and key clinical practices that make up the Ten Steps:1,4,5,9,10,11

  1. Establish and implement a breastfeeding policy: Hospitals must implement a feeding policy for breastfeeding infants and communicate it to staff regularly.
  2. Train staff thoroughly: The facility should provide comprehensive training to relevant staff members so they can implement its breastfeeding policy.
  3. Teach pregnant women about breastfeeding: It must also provide breastfeeding education to pregnant women, including the benefits of this practice.
  4. Have staff help mothers initiate breastfeeding: Skin-to-skin contact between mom and baby should occur for at least an hour after birth.
  5. Teach moms how to feed their babies: Staff should teach mothers how to breastfeed and maintain lactation when separated from baby. They should also address any common feeding problems.
  6. Don’t give baby anything other than breast milk: Only let babies consume breast milk. They shouldn’t have any other food or drink unless medically indicated.
  7. Practice rooming-in: The hospital should allow the mom and baby to stay together in the same room for 24 hours a day.
  8. Encourage on-demand feeding: Staff should help mothers identify their baby’s feeding cues so they can feed them when they’re hungry.
  9. Avoid feeding bottles, teats, and pacifiers: Staff must teach moms about the risks of using feeding bottles, teats, and pacifiers for breastfeeding infants.
  10. Establish post-hospital support: Ensure that mothers receive breastfeeding support after being discharged from the hospital. This includes access to breastfeeding support groups.

Benefits of a Baby-Friendly Hospital

Studies have found that following the Ten Steps has a positive outcome on breastfeeding for mom and baby (in the short, medium, and long term).5 Here are some of the benefits of a Baby-Friendly hospital:1,5,7,8,12

  • It offers education to families to help them make informed decisions about feeding their baby.
  • This type of hospital supports immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth. This practice has many benefits, including bonding and improving your milk supply.
  • It offers lactation support right after birth and well after mom and baby’s hospital stay.
  • Staff is always available to answer your questions about baby and breastfeeding right from the start.
  • It improves breastfeeding initiation and duration.
  • You can have your baby assessed for any potential feeding issues from day one. This can help promote a better chance of breastfeeding success when you get home.
  • It supports rooming-in, a practice that can improve sleep and mood for mom and baby.

How To Find One

If you know you want to breastfeed your baby, and you want to give birth in a hospital that provides support and encourages early bonding between mom and baby, then you may be interested in giving birth at a Baby-Friendly hospital. There are over 600 Baby-Friendly facilities in the United States, so there’s a good chance one is close to you.6 You can find one by searching on the Baby-Friendly USA website based on your zip code here. As more hospitals seek accreditation, more Baby-Friendly facilities may be popping up throughout the country in years to come.

So, ask yourself if breastfeeding is important to you. If so, look for a hospital and healthcare providers who support immediate skin-to-skin and best breastfeeding practices. Giving birth at a Baby-Friendly facility may be exactly what you’re looking for!

Share
  • Link copied
View Sources +
Was this article helpful?
  • Author
Rebecca Jacobs

Rebecca Jacobs is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant. She found her way into Holistic Nutrition after battling many health issues herself and decided it was time to take matters into her own hands and change her health through the power of nutrition! Rebecca consults with clients worldwide to help them restore their balance by using food as medicine. Her specialties include digestive health, weight loss, and using dietary modifications to help anxiety. Rebecca’s approach is different from others because she does not believe in dieting but rather in making lifestyle changes and believes that healthy eating must be delicious. She is also a recipe developer and creates healthier alternatives to traditionally unhealthy foods. She is passionate about helping others find their…

See all from Rebecca Jacobs
You might also like
A pregnant woman lies on a hospital bed, covering her face with her hand. A medical professional in a purple uniform examines her abdomen with a device, while another person in white assists. The setting appears to be a labor and delivery room where the labor has stalled out.

Why Is This Taking So Long? When Labor Stalls Out
Birth Tips
A black-and-white image of a newborn baby resting on their mother's chest after a safe birth. The mother lies in bed, looking up with a calm expression while holding the baby close under a blanket. The baby appears to be crying or making a facial expression.

Preparing for a Safe Birth & Healthy Baby With Gina Mundy – Podcast Ep 137
Birth Tips
A pregnant person sits cross-legged on the floor, wearing a light blue tank top and gray leggings. They hold a book and a pen in their hands, one resting on their belly as they start to create a birth plan. The background features a sofa and a carpeted floor.

How To Create YOUR Perfect Birth Plan (Includes Templates!)
Birth Tips
A pregnant woman in a black tank top and leggings stands between two beige sofas inside a bright living room. Holding her belly and looking downward with a neutral expression, she seems to be contemplating signs that labor is starting. The room is decorated with various cushions, a blanket, and visible furniture.

What Are the Signs That Labor is Starting? – Podcast Ep 134
Birth Tips
Two medical professionals wearing gloves are shown performing delayed cord clamping while cutting a newborn's umbilical cord with a clamp and scissors. The newborn, lying on a yellow sheet, is partially covered in blood. The background is blurred but suggests a clinical setting.

Delayed Cord Clamping: What It Is, Benefits, and Risks
Birth Tips
Mother holding a newborn baby close to her chest, both wrapped in the serenity of birth affirmations. The baby is swaddled in a blanket and wearing a small hat, as they rest peacefully in a hospital setting.

25 Birth Affirmations To Help You Through Your Labor
Birth Tips
A black and white image of a sleeping newborn baby lying on its side. The baby, born preterm, has curly hair and a breathing tube attached to its nose. The background is soft and out of focus.

Preterm Birth: What Is It and What Are the Risks?
NICU
A woman with a floral tattoo on her shoulder is holding a sleeping newborn baby against her chest. She is smiling slightly with her eyes closed, exuding the serene contentment often associated with an orgasmic birth. The scene conveys a sense of warmth and bonding.

What is Orgasmic Birth? The Best-Kept Birth Secret – Podcast Ep 121
Unmedicated
A woman with curly hair holds a newborn wrapped in a white blanket adorned with colorful hand and foot prints. They are in a room with a brown door and medical posters detailing birthing positions visible in the background.

14 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Labor Experience
Birth Tips
A woman in labor lies in a hospital bed wearing a blue gown, with monitoring equipment attached to her abdomen. Her face shows signs of effort as she lets out a deep groan. A person in a purple shirt is partially visible in the background, seated next to the bed.

Vocal Toning in Labor: Why Do Women Moan in Childbirth?
Birth Tips
A pregnant woman in a blue hospital gown sits on an exercise ball in a medical room. She is looking down and placing her hands on her stomach. Hospital items, including medical equipment and a hospital bed, are visible in the background.

Hospital Items You Can Use in Labor That You Didn’t Know About
Birth Tips
A woman with curly hair is leaning over a hospital bed, looking down. She is dressed in a hospital gown and appears to be in a hospital room with medical equipment visible in the background. She’s holding onto a pillow positioned on the bed, possibly practicing labor breathing techniques.

Breathing Techniques for Labor and How They Help
Birth Tips
A woman is lying in a hospital bed, smiling and wearing a hospital gown. A person is placing their hand on her belly, checking on her. Medical equipment is visible in the background. The woman is also wearing an identification wristband—just in case no one told you, labor can be quite the journey!

30 Relatable and Hysterical Truths about Labor & Delivery
Birth Tips
A person with pink hair in a pink shirt and gray leggings is on all fours on a blue yoga mat. Another person in gray athletic wear and sneakers is assisting by placing hands on their back, applying pressure points for labor. They are outdoors, near a stone wall and blue cushioned bench.

How Counter Pressure During Labor Can Help
Birth Tips
A woman leans forward with her eyes closed on a blue birthing ball while another person holds a yellow rebozo wrap around her upper torso. She is in a home setting with a couch visible in the background.

Rebozo: What Is It and How To Use It in Labor
Birth Tips
A smiling woman with long blonde hair is seated at a wooden desk in an office. She is wearing a gray blazer over a blue top. Behind her, certificates and framed documents are hung on the wall, showcasing her expertise in pelvic floor health. A computer and anatomical model are on the desk.

Pelvic Floor Health With Dr. Marcy: Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond – Podcast Ep 112
Postpartum Health
A person is receiving a foot massage while lying down, with the masseuse's hands focusing on massaging the soles. In the background, the individual lies comfortably on a cushioned surface, possibly a massage table. This technique can be particularly beneficial when using acupressure during labor.

How To Use Acupressure During Labor
Birth Tips
A woman lying in a hospital bed appears to be in pain, with her eyes closed and her face contorted. She is wearing a hospital gown, and her hand is resting on her abdomen, indicating the aftermath of a 3rd degree perineal tear. The background is out of focus, highlighting the woman as the main subject.

Degrees of Perineal Tearing in Childbirth
Birth Tips
Three healthcare workers in scrubs, masks, and hair covers are attending to a patient lying in a hospital bed. One worker appears to be comforting the patient, perhaps managing an instance of shoulder dystocia, while the other two look on. The room contains medical equipment and a window with blinds.

Shoulder Dystocia: What It Is and What You Can Do
Birth Tips
A close-up image of a pregnant woman laying on her back with her midsection exposed. Two hands, likely belonging to another person, are placed gently on her belly, one above the belly button and one below, perhaps feeling for a breech baby. The woman is covered with a white towel from the waist down.

Guide to Breech Baby Delivery Options
Birth Tips
A person in hospital attire sits on a bed, eating a sandwich. In the foreground, there is a tray with sliced bread, a bowl of salad, and a bottle of milk with a red-striped straw. The setting appears to be a hospital room, prompting the question: can you eat during labor?

Why Can’t You Eat During Labor?
Birth Tips
A pregnant woman lies in a hospital bed, wearing a hospital gown. A fetal monitoring belt is wrapped around her abdomen, and an IV is inserted into her arm. Her left hand rests on her belly as she awaits treatment for chorioamnionitis. The background shows part of the hospital bed and bedding.

Chorioamnionitis: What Pregnant People Need to Know
Birth Tips
A pregnant person in a black tank top and leggings is sitting on a teal birthing ball in a living room. They are holding their belly with both hands. The room has a light-colored couch, pillows, a table lamp, and a tote bag in the background.

How to Use a Birthing Ball
Birth Tips
A close-up of a pregnant person's belly with medical monitoring belts attached, tracking early fetal heart rate decelerations. A hand with a hospital wristband is resting on the belly. The person is lying on a hospital bed, wearing a light blue hospital gown.

What Is Early Fetal Heart Rate Deceleration? (And Why It’s a Good Thing!)
Medicated
Subscribe to our newsletter