Shady Grove Gets Baby-Friendly Status

Shady Grove Gets Baby-Friendly Status

Story by Susan Griffiths

Shady Grove Adventist Hospital is the first hospital in Maryland, and one of fewer than 200 in the United States, to achieve “baby-friendly” designation through the World Health Organization and UNICEF. The global Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding. Fewer than 10 percent of babies in the U.S. are born in a baby-friendly facility.

To achieve the designation, the hospital must uphold 10 policy standards, including helping mothers to initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth as well as practicing “rooming in,” which allows mothers and infants to stay together 24 hours a day. Read more at shadygrovebaby.com.