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Baby Friendly Designation 
Pekin Hospital Receives Prestigious International Award!
The
Baby Placeat Pekin Hospital has received the international designation as a Baby-Friendly? birth facility. A prestigious international recognition, the designation is awarded by Baby-Friendly USA as part of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the United States. One of Only Two in Illinois! A global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children?s Fund (UNICEF), the BFHI 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 mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies. Many of these practices also help to promote bonding between mom and baby regardless of feeding choice, so all moms and babies benefit from the Baby-Friendly care. Currently, there are more than 19,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide, with only 53 of them in the United States. Pekin Hospital is one of two in Illinois. Rigorous Standards The ?Baby-Friendly? designation is awarded after a rigorous on-site survey is completed and can only be maintained by continuing to practice the ?Ten Steps? as demonstrated by quality processes. Highlights of Baby-Friendly Care Baby-Friendly care focuses on keeping the mom and baby together. This practice helps to stabilize the baby more quickly, enhances bonding between mom and baby and supports successful breastfeeding. These practices include:
- Minimal separation of mother and baby
- Sacred Hour after delivery for undisturbed bonding
- Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth
- Rooming In 24 hours a day
- No pacifiers given to breastfeeding babies
- All staff trained in breastfeeding support
- Ongoing support available after discharge
- Education of families on bonding with baby
Baby-Friendly USA envisions an American culture that values the enduring benefits of breastfeeding and human milk for mothers, babies and society. For more information on BFHI and the Baby-Friendly designation, please go to www.babyfriendlyusa.org or call The Baby Place at 309/353-0480. Baby-Friendly is a trademark of the United States Fund for UNICEF and is awarded by Baby-Friendly USA in East Sandwich, Massachusetts. Find Out What?s So Important About Breastfeeding?
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