Southcoast Health officials are proud to announce that St. Luke’s Hospital has once again received the prestigious Baby-Friendly designation by Baby-Friendly USA, the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the United States.

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 significant first days of a newborn’s life.

“This respected international designation is meaningful validation of the skilled and compassionate care our team members demonstrate every day to our patients and their families,” said David O. McCready, President and CEO of Southcoast Health. “I am extremely proud of all the work our Family Centered Unit has put into this achievement, and grateful we are able to provide this exceptional care for families in our community during this special time in their lives.”

This designation recognizes the hospital for providing breastfeeding mothers information, confidence and education before, during and after childbirth. Designated facilities promote and practice policies such as optimal early bonding care via skin-to-skin contact with mother and baby immediately after childbirth and keeping babies in their room to help prepare parents for going home.

“I want to congratulate our entire team in the Family Centered Unit at St. Luke’s Hospital on this accomplishment. It is thanks to their collective hard work and dedication that we achieved this recognition,” said Kim Pina, MSN, RN, Executive Director of the Family Centered Unit/Level II Nursery at Southcoast Health.

With this redesignation, St. Luke’s Hospital remains part of the growing list of more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world, 565 of which are in the United States. These facilities provide an environment that supports breastfeeding while respecting every patient’s right to make the best decision for their family.

“We’re immensely proud of our team. This recognition reflects our commitment to not only supporting breastfeeding but ensuring that all mothers and infants receive the highest quality care and guidance,” said Michelle Murray, Lead Lactation Consultant at St. Luke’s Hospital. “By following Baby-Friendly guidelines we are providing evidence-based maternity care practices that allow us to best support new mothers in this journey. We’re excited for all we will continue to accomplish in the next five years.”

St. Luke’s Hospital was previously designated in 2018 following the same 5-year-long assessment beginning in 2013. Throughout the designation period, hospital leadership will report key statistics annually over the next five years to ensure they are maintaining these requirements.

To learn more about Maternity Services at Southcoast Health, please visit:  www.southcoast.org/services/maternity-services/