Northwest Health – Porter receives prestigious Baby Friendly Designation

1/26/2022

Northwest Health CEO Ashley Dickinson is proud to announce that Northwest Health - Porter has achieved the prestigious international Baby-Friendly designation after a rigorous review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for bestowing this certification in the United States.

The State of Indiana has designated Northwest Health - Porter with a Level III Obstetrical Service and Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This newest honor, the Baby-Friendly designation, adds another distinction to the hospital’s women and children’s services. The Baby-Friendly designation demonstrates that Northwest Health – Porter is adhering to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. These standards are built on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a set of evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for optimal infant feeding support in the precious first days of a newborn’s life.

The positive health effects of breastfeeding are well documented and widely recognized by health authorities throughout the world. For example, the Surgeon General’s 2011 Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding stated that “Breast milk is uniquely suited to the human infant’s nutritional needs and is a live substance with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against a host of illnesses and diseases for both mothers and children.”

Northwest Health – Porter joins a growing list of more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world, 592 of which are in the United States. These facilities provide an environment that supports breastfeeding while respecting every woman’s right to make the best decision for herself and her family.

Northwest Health has long been a recognized leader in the care of women and newborns throughout Northwest Indiana,” said Ashley Dickinson, CEO – Northwest Health. “This designation is a tribute to our commitment to ensuring that every woman who delivers a baby at our hospital is given the resources, information and support needed to help her and her baby get the best, healthiest start in life.”

To learn more about maternity and neonatal intensive care services at Northwest Health visit NWHealthIN.com.

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