Firelands recognized by Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies

(Sandusky, Ohio) Firelands Center for Women & Newborns has been recognized by the Ohio Hospital Association and the Ohio Department of Health for successfully renewing all 10 steps of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.

This 5-star recognition is part of the Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies initiative to award hospitals for taking steps to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding in their organization. A star is awarded for every two steps achieved in the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, as defined by the World Health Organization and Baby-Friendly USA. Firelands Regional Medical Center is one of only 40 Ohio hospitals in the state that has earned five stars – the highest recognition possible. The initiative encourages maternity centers across the state to promote and support breastfeeding one step at a time.

To participate in the program, Firelands Center for Women & Newborns is providing information and hospital practices supportive of breastfeeding and the Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies program. These resources are available at firelands.com/breastfeeding or by contacting one of our certified lactation consultants at 419-557-7596.

“Being recognized by Ohio First Steps demonstrates our efforts to promote conversations in the hospital about the benefits of breastfeeding in order to educate patients and the community,” said Jennifer Rickard, MSN, RN, CSRN, director of Firelands Center for Women & Newborns. “The support a new mother receives from hospital employees and leaders can impact her decision to breast-feed. Increasing the number of breast-fed newborns can lead to a decrease in the likelihood for future health conditions for the child such as asthma, diabetes and obesity.”

Visit http://ohiohospitals.org/ohiofirststeps for more information about Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies.

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