Plains Hospital achieves baby-friendly designation
From left, are Rashell Jones, RN, CLC; Sara Nestor, RN, CLC, OB Coordinator; Kassie Marjerrison, RN, CLC; Jessica Valentine, MD, CLC, Obstetrics Chief and Provider; Cassie Craft, CNA, CLC Certified Lactation Counselors at Clark Fork Valley Hospital. (Clark Fork Valley Hospital)
Clark Fork Valley Hospital’s Sara Nestor, RN, CLC, OB Coordinator caring for a newborn baby. (Clark Fork Valley Hospital photo)
Clark Fork Valley Hospital is proud to announce that it has achieved the highly 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.
This distinguished honor demonstrates that the hospital 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 International Children’s Emergency 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.
Clark Fork Valley Hospital joins a growing list of more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world, 591 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.
In Montana, there are now 15 designated facilities but CFVH took it a step further by becoming the first Mother-Friendly facility supporting employees who are breastfeeding and need areas to pump or feed their babies during working hours.
They have created lactation stations throughout the facility in addition to providing secure and safe storage options for nursing moms.
“The hospital experience strongly influences a mother’s ability to start and continue breastfeeding,” said Sara Nestor, RN, CFVH OB Coordinator and Certified Lactation Counselor. “We are committed to implementing evidence-based care through the Baby-Friendly designation to ensure that mothers delivering in our facility who intend to breastfeed, as well as those who cannot or decide not to breastfeed, are fully supported.”
Sara Nestor, RN, OB Coordinator and Certified Lactation Consultant and Cassie Craft, CNA, CLC have been asked to speak at the Montana Breastfeeding Learning Collaborative in Billings in spring 2020 due to their work on the Baby Friendly Initiative at CFVH.
They have also been invited to speak at the National Breastfeeding Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, June 12-13.
“This designation is the culmination of a lot of hard work and determination across our organization, all with a goal of helping families get off to a good start,” shared Jessica Valentine, MD, CFVH Hospitalist, OB Provider and Certified Lactation Counselor. “We are proud to offer an environment that supports best practices shown to increase breastfeeding exclusivity and duration and are committed to give moms who choose to breastfeed the best chance for success.”
Surveyors Susan Gaunt and Carol Suchy lauded the Hospital for its efforts. Both were at the facility for an assessment of the Hospital’s program Sept. 12-13.
“The facility provides general education on the Baby-Friendly Health Initiative to all new employees at orientation. This includes 220 employees educated since the Baby-Friendly journey began,” one commented. “This facility has done a great job implementing all Ten Steps. It is also impressive that a facility of this size has the commitment to have 5 CLCs (Certified Lactation Consultants) and an OB Coordinator that is also a CLC.”
The hospital has been very involved with community partners including: Women Infant Children, Nutrition and Physical Activity Partnership Support, First Latch, volunteering at the county fairs, schools, creating a Virtual Baby Bistro Podcast and a Facebook page that focuses on Breastfeeding support.
This small rural facility goes beyond expectations as evidenced by their human milk tissue bank license so they are able to provide donor milk when a breastfeeding infant needs supplementation for medical reasons.
The facility provides a follow up to all mothers and babies at 24-48 hours after discharge to assess newborn weight, jaundice, breastfeeding and mental health screening.
A Licensed Independent Provider provides the care with no charge for service. If a lactation consult is necessary a CLC is available for one on one visit. All parents are followed up by phone call in the first 6 months and at a year.
The staff is well trained and engaged in the process. The providers seem enthusiastic about the Initiative. Staff members and providers said that they feel confident in their ability to safely implement Baby-Friendly practices.