Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: December 6, 2007

Westerly Hospital Efforts Push Rhode Island Toward Becoming the First ‘Baby Friendly’ State in the Nation

The Department of Health announced today that Westerly Hospital has joined South County Hospital and Newport Hospital as the third ‘Baby Friendly’ Hospital in Rhode Island, moving Rhode Island one step closer toward becoming the first ‘Baby Friendly’ state in the nation.

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 breastfeeding. The BFHI assists hospitals in giving breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

"Breastfeeding decreases the risk of kids getting sick and becoming overweight or obese and provides numerous health benefits to mothers," said Director of Health, David R. Gifford, MD, MPH. "The adoption of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative is an important step toward promoting breastfeeding as the most cost effective, healthy way for babies to be fed."

Worldwide, more than 19,000 maternity facilities have received the Baby Friendly Award while only 62 facilities have been certified in the United States. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that regardless of the type of facility, those achieving BFHI designation see improved health outcomes for infants and mothers as well as greater patient and staff satisfaction.

Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, where about seventy-two percent of Rhode Island births occur, has taken steps toward becoming Baby Friendly by instituting a policy to have infants room in with their mothers, educating providers and families on strategies to support and promote breastfeeding in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and committing to replace formula discharge gift packs for new mothers with Women and Infants Hospital gift bags that do not promote infant formula.

To become 'Baby Friendly,' hospitals and maternity centers must practice each of the 10 steps to successful breastfeeding developed by WHO and UNICEF. For details on these 10 steps and for more information about the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, visit www.babyfriendlyusa.org.