Expanded baby-friendliness anticipated at St. Mary's
St. Marien Hospital in Siegen Aims to Become First "Baby-Friendly" Hospital in Region
The St. Marien Hospital in Siegen, Germany, is striving to maintain its status as the first "baby-friendly hospital" in its region. This prestigious certification, provided by UNICEF and the World Health Organization, checks if the hospital's practices align with the needs of mothers and their newborns.
To achieve this designation, hospitals must successfully implement and adhere to the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. These evidence-based practices, recommended by the WHO and UNICEF, guide hospitals in helping mothers initiate and sustain breastfeeding, including early skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in, and breastfeeding support. Hospitals must also follow the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, ensuring exclusive breastfeeding is supported, and provide care that promotes breastfeeding and maternal-infant health.
The certification process involves a rigorous external assessment and ongoing re-assessments every three years, ensuring hospitals meet strict criteria on breastfeeding support and infant feeding care. Facilities must also provide education and training for staff, offer mother-to-mother support and sustained breastfeeding assistance post-discharge, and extend support beyond the hospital stay.
In the United States, Baby-Friendly USA coordinates and accredits hospitals meeting these standards, aligning with the international BFHI framework by WHO and UNICEF. Hospitals achieving this designation demonstrate a commitment to the highest breastfeeding care standards that improve infant and maternal health outcomes globally.
With approximately 1,100 children being born at the St. Marien Hospital in Siegen each year, the hospital has initiated a request for confirmation or suggestions on improving its certification process. The hospital is committed to providing the best possible care for mothers and newborns, in line with the "baby-friendly" standards.
It is essential to note that the certification process is not limited to delivery rooms in hospitals. UNICEF and the World Health Organization do not prioritize what is practical or convenient for hospitals, midwives, or doctors. Instead, the focus is on ensuring structures and processes around childbirth meet the needs of mothers and newborns.
The "baby-friendly hospital" certification is a significant step towards improving maternal and infant health outcomes. By adhering to these standards, hospitals like St. Marien Hospital in Siegen can make a significant difference in the lives of mothers and their newborns.
To support the St. Marien Hospital's goal of becoming the first "baby-friendly" hospital in its region, it could also aim to excel in health-and-wellness areas, specifically within women's health, by implementing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and adhering to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. This approach aligns with the focus of UNICEF and the World Health Organization on providing maternal and newborn support, ensuring breastfeeding care meets the highest standards and improves overall health outcomes.
