Yes! Of course, not just because I worked in a Baby-Friendly Hospital, but because of the high standards of care expected for health care facilities catering to mothers and babies. When many think about Baby-Friendly, the first idea that comes to mind is, what about the mom? Is it mommy-friendly too? Absolutely. Baby-Friendly Care is the family-centered approach to maternity care within the perinatal period. Hospitals holding this prestigious designation adhere to "The Ten Steps of Successful Breastfeeding," a set of guidelines that have evolved to be more inclusive, emphasizing safety practices and realistic expectations for maternal child healthcare. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Designation has always represented the best practice of care, although it has been misconstrued in the past. The recent modifications of the "Ten Steps of Successful Breastfeeding" have proven to be successful. Above, highlights the original Ten Steps versus the current Ten Steps.

The first step, now split into three parts (A, B, and C), includes the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, sharing the policy with healthcare staff/patients, and data monitoring to ensure that we uphold and maintain our standards. In the history of hospitals receiving redesignation, data monitoring has been one of the most significant contributing factors in sustaining practices. As they say, "if you don't know where you are, how can you know where you're going?" Data monitoring is a key step in ensuring that standards of care are consistently met.

Key highlights of why Baby-Friendly designated hospitals are worth the hype include a standardized family-centered approach to care. This involves rigorous training in quality communication, education on safe infant feeding, and ensuring a sacred birthing experience with minimal unnecessary interruptions between mom and baby. Parents hold their baby skin-to-skin right after birth, a practice deemed sacred and spiritual. The hospital assists families with breastfeeding, providing education and techniques from the prenatal period to months to years postpartum.

These practices ensure that moms and their babies get the best start in meeting their healthcare goals, setting up families for success in one of the most practical ways to prevent disease. Breastfeeding is the natural conclusion to pregnancy, and families should have the opportunity to learn and practice these essential child feeding techniques. Breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits for both mother and child, decreasing the risk of chronic illness for mothers and optimizing the child's microbiome and development.

Despite being supported by esteemed organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologist (ACOG), Baby-Friendly practices have faced criticism from some professionals due to personal and professional biases. This criticism often stems from familiarity with past maternity and child health practices, making it challenging for some to recognize that perfection is not expected. To maintain the Baby-Friendly designation, hospitals are only required to meet 80% of the criteria because it is normal for outliers to exist. Not all moms want to breastfeed or room-in with their baby, and medical contraindications and safety concerns must be considered. Life is not black and white; there is always a gray area.

When you're ready to have your baby, consider delivering in a facility designated as Baby-Friendly. You are making the best decision for your birth experience. Ensure that you participate in informational seminars or classes offered by these hospitals before you have your baby, involve your family members who will support you during pregnancy. Stay informed and empowered, mama! This is crucial for us as birth workers to see moms confident, knowing what they want, and eagerly participating in the pregnancy, birth, and childhood journey. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child, and let us be your village.

Ashley Orenshteyn, IBCLC, FNP-BC