URBANA, IL -(Effingham Radio)- Carle’s gold standard of care for mothers and babies reaches new heights with Baby-Friendly accreditation.
“Baby-Friendly designation is one more reason Carle is the right place for the region’s best care for moms and babies.”
“From OB to NICU to Child Life to pediatrics, we have a robust approach to comprehensive care,” said Kayla Banks, vice president, Women’s Health Services and Medical Education.
Carle joins just 512 facilities nationwide accredited by Baby-Friendly USA with only five hospitals earning this distinction in Central Illinois.
“Everything we do is tied to giving mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies,” said Lisa Siegwald, RNC, manager of mother/baby.
The official designation spotlights Carle’s commitment to healthier outcomes for moms and babies through best practices and evidence-based care.
“Achieving the Baby-Friendly designation is not an easy task,” said Pam Unger, director of Women and Children’s Services.
“The criteria are challenging, as they are designed to set the standards for the best possible breastfeeding support for mother and baby in the maternity setting, ensuring high quality of care in this critical area of mother/baby care.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) created the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative to encourage hospitals to create and maintain more programs to support breastfeeding mothers.
There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Hospitals receive Baby-Friendly after completing a rigorous on-site survey.