Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative

New mothers may need help and encouragement to successfully breastfeed their babies which is why Corona Regional Medical Center has taken part in the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative since 2005. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund that encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer the prime level of care and technique for feeding and mother/child bonding. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative was established in 1991 to help hospitals provide new mothers with the information they need to develop the confidence and skills to initiate breastfeeding with their babies or safely feed formula to them.

Becoming a Baby-Friendly facility is a comprehensive and thorough process toward excellence in providing maternity care. In order to become designated as a Baby-Friendly facility, hospitals must examine, challenge and adjust longstanding policies and procedures so that they help achieve maximum results for the mother and infant.

Corona Regional Medical Center has provided support to hundreds of mothers so that they can make informed decisions about the health, safety and nutrition of their newborns, successfully begin breastfeeding their babies and continue to do so after leaving the hospital.

About Breastfeeding

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, breastfeeding can offer a wide range of benefits to both mothers and their newborns, including:

• Lower risk of cancers and other diseases
• Stronger immune system
• The presence of antibodies in breast milk helps fights bacteria and viruses
• Decreased risk of developing asthma and allergies
• Fewer ear infections, respiratory problems and instances of diarrhea