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

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!