Best Baby Whisperer: MedStar

MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center Receives Prestigious Baby-Friendly Designation

MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center 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 MedStar Southern Maryland is adhering to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. “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,” said Ariam Yitbarek, MHA, BSN, RN, vice president, nursing, and chief nursing officer at MedStar Southern Maryland.

As the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the United States, Baby-Friendly USA is responsible for upholding the highest standards in infant feeding care by coordinating and conducting all activities necessary to confer the prestigious Baby-Friendly designation and ensuring the widespread adoption of the BFHI in the US.

MedStar Southern Maryland joins a growing list of more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world, 604 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. More can be learned about Baby-Friendly USA and the BFHI at www.babyfriendlyusa.org.