University Hospitals MacDonald Women’s Hospital Continues Prestigious Baby-Friendly Designation

University Hospitals MacDonald Women’s Hospital is proud to continue their prestigious international Baby-Friendly designation after a rigorous review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for bestowing this certification in the US. UH MacDonald first received this designation in December 2015.

This recognition demonstrates UH MacDonald adheres to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. These standards are built on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a set of evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund for optimal infant feeding support in the precious first days of a newborn’s life.

University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center is also a designated Baby-Friendly hospital. There are more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world, 603 of which are in the US. These facilities provide an environment that supports breastfeeding while respecting every woman’s right to make the best decision for herself and her family.

The positive health effects of breastfeeding are well documented and widely recognized throughout the world. For example, the Surgeon General’s 2011 Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding stated, “Breast milk is uniquely suited to the human infant’s nutritional needs and is a live substance with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against a host of illnesses and diseases for both mothers and children.”

UH has many services offered to women to promote a healthy pregnancy for her and her unborn child. A good place to start when trying to locate the vast amount of pregnancy resources, contact information, classes, tours, pediatricians, breastfeeding support, obtaining a free breast pump, etc. is the UH website, uhhospitals.org/pregnancy.

Additionally, UH provides breastfeeding support outside of the hospital, so when mom and baby are discharged, breastfeeding care is still readily available. UH Lactation Centers are located within UH Landerbrook and UH Westlake health centers, and provide both in person and over the phone support from certified lactation consultants.

UH Media Contact: Katelyn.McCarthy@UHhospitals.org | 216-870-6321