How WBAMC is working to get ‘baby-friendly’ designation

William Beaumont Army Medical Center is working to be recognized as a baby-friendly accredited hospital.

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program that was launched by the World Health Organization in 1991 to recognize hospitals that offer top care for infant feeding and mother-baby bonding.

To acquire the baby-friendly designation, hospitals must follow the 4-D Pathway created by Baby-Friendly USA, the national authority for the initiative.

The 4-D pathway consists of four phases: Discovery, Development, Dissemination and Designation. WBAMC has completed the first three phases and expects to be in accredited in the next 12 to 18 months.

Maj. Juliana Luciano, unit supervisor for labor and delivery at WBAMC, said part of the initiative includes the promotion of breastfeeding.

“It is a good thing for moms, for babies and for our communities because we’re promoting something natural and economically sound,” Luciano said.

Visitors and employees are encouraged to breastfeed at the hospital when necessary in designated private rooms found through out WBAMC.

Beaumont is in phase three of the 4-D Pathway and officials are working to educate employees and expectant mothers.

“When they come in for OB-GYN visits while they’re pregnant, that’s when the process begins,” Luciano said.

“That’s when they hear ‘breast is best.'”

To find out which hospitals are baby-friendly accredited, click here.