The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), “Is a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for lactation.” These hospitals and birthing centers provide no formula unless medically warranted.
More than 19,000 international maternity facilities are already considered Baby-Friendly (i.e fully support breastfeeding). Guess how many U.S. hospitals are on the list? Right around 50. Sad and discouraging, no? Still, at least this website is a good start if you live in the U.S. I wanted a home birth with Cedar, but had complications, and ended up in the hospital. However, my hospital is on the BFHI list, and they really did offer tons of breastfeeding support; including no formula, and breastfeeding consultants. It wasn’t perfect, but more supportive than I thought it would be.
If you’re having a baby soon, and want a hospital birth, check out the list. Maybe you can find a BFHI hospital near you.
My hospital does have the baby friendly recognition. It is my hospital in more ways than one as I work there, and my sweet baby boy was born there in February!
Comment added July 12th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
My hospital does have the baby friendly recognition. It is my hospital in more ways than one as I work there, and my sweet baby boy was born there in February!
Comment added August 8th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
[...] Find a breastfeeding friendly hospital or birthing center [...]
Comment added November 23rd, 2008 at 8:00 pm
[...] Find a breastfeeding friendly hospital or birthing center [...]
Comment added December 26th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
[...] Find a breastfeeding friendly hospital or birthing center [...]