Hospital recognized as a Baby-Friendly Designated birth facility

July 24, 2014 By Kimberly Gensicki

New Britain [July 24 2014] - The Hospital of Central Connecticut (HOCC) has received recognition as a Baby-Friendly Designated birth facility by Baby Friendly USA, Inc. This distinction acknowledges hospitals that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. 

This international award, based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, recognizes birth facilities that offer mothers information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Baby-Friendly USA, Inc is the U.S. authority for program implementation. 

“All of our mothers and babies benefit from the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative regardless of how moms choose to feed their babies,” says Dr. Annmarie Golioto, HOCC chief of Pediatrics. “The initiative emphasizes early and uninterrupted bonding between mom and baby and education for both staff members and patients regarding optimal feeding for infants.” She adds that the adoption of the “10 Steps” by the Family BirthPlace staff is having a positive influence on mothers at HOCC feeling supported and confident in their ability to breastfeed their baby successfully.

HOCC is now one of more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Currently there are 193 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States; these include MidState Medical Center and Hartford Hospital. The Baby-Friendly designation is given after completing a rigorous, on-site survey. 

HOCC was previously recognized for excellence in lactation care, receiving the IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant®) Care Award. The award was given to the hospital by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® and International Lactation Consultant Association®. It recognizes the hospital’s staffing of IBCLC professionals and provision of a comprehensive breastfeeding support program for families, as well as medical staff training toward breastfeeding support and management. HOCC employs two IBCLCs and offers a breastfeeding support group. This marks the third time HOCC has received the award since 2011. 

The Hospital of Central Connecticut (HOCC) is a 414-bed, 32-bassinet acute care teaching hospital with two campuses, New Britain General and Bradley Memorial in Southington. A member of Hartford HealthCare, HOCC services include emergency, inpatient, surgery, laboratory, outpatient, and radiology. Among specialty areas are cardiovascular care, metabolic health, obstetrics, oncology, orthopedics, and psychiatry/behavioral health. For more information, please visit www.thocc.org ; for a physician referral, call 1-800-321-6244.