Baby-Friendly USA, announces that St. Joseph Hospital has received prestigious international recognition as a Re-Designated Baby-Friendly birth facility. St. Joseph Hospital was Orange County’s first Baby-Friendly hospital and this is the third time since 2009 that the hospital has received this designation.
St. Joseph Hospital earned this designation for offering new mothers the information, confidence and skills they need to succeed in breastfeeding and caring for their babies. Of the estimated 6,000 hospitals and birthing centers in the United States, only 578 have received the Baby-Friendly designation.
“We’re very proud of our team for obtaining the prestigious Baby-Friendly designation,” said Katie Skelton, chief nursing officer at St. Joseph Hospital. “Achieving this recognition is not an easy process and I am extremely proud of the Women’s Services team’s commitment to receiving this designation yet again. This designation represents excellence in nursing along with a dedication to providing the highest level of care for our community.”
Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, 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.
St. Joseph Hospital offers private mother and baby rooms that are equipped with an ADA-compliant bathroom and shower, wireless internet, glider chair and flat screen TV. Overnight accommodations are available for a significant other to stay. Other hospital amenities include lactation consultation services, prenatal classes, patient and family tours, as well as a retail store focusing on women’s and newborn products. St. Joseph Hospital believes each birth is unique, based on the growing family's special needs and desires. St. Joseph Hospital extensive care extends to patients with uncomplicated deliveries to those who are experiencing high-risk pregnancies and have special needs. Our care supports practices that keep mother and baby together after cesarean section deliveries.
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