Baby-Friendly USA, has given LincolnHealth-Damariscotta its prestigious international recognition as a Re-Designated Baby-Friendly Birth Facility.

Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (“BFHI”), a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

“LincolnHealth was the first hospital in Maine to receive Baby-Friendly designation nearly 21 years ago,” commented LincolnHealth Chief Nursing Officer Christine Anderson, RN, BSN, NE-BC. “Upholding these standards of care since then is a testament to the commitment of our nursing staff to provide mothers, babies, and families the best support for a healthy, positive beginning.”

Several of LincolnHealth’s registered nurses on the maternity unit have received advanced lactation training and have become either Certified Lactation Counselors® or International Board Certified Lactation Consultants® to offer the best breastfeeding support possible.

“All moms room in with their babies here at LincolnHealth, meaning they sleep together in the same, private room,” commented LincolnHealth Obstetrics Clinical Supervisor Amy Beckett, RN, CLC. “Rooming in ensures families have every opportunity to interact and bond with their baby during the first days of life. Rooming in provides many physical and emotional benefits to both mom and baby. We also encourage as much skin-to-skin time as possible, to help babies adjust to life outside the womb, maintain temperature, and establish successful breastfeeding. Rooming in and skin-to-skin are just two of many Baby-Friendly practices we are proud to provide families.”

There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Currently there are 564 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States. The “Baby-Friendly” re-designation is given after a rigorous on-site survey. The award is maintained by continuing to practice the Ten Steps as demonstrated by quality processes.

For more information about LincolnHealth Miles Maternity, call 563-4536.

Further information about the U.S. Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative may be obtained by visiting www.babyfriendlyusa.org