Huntington Hospital Receives Prestigious Baby-Friendly Designation

Huntington Health, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai, 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 Huntington Hospital’s women and children services are 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 Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for optimal infant feeding support in the precious first days of a newborn’s life.

“Huntington has long been a leader in the care of women and newborns, supporting generations of families in the San Gabriel Valley,” said Gloria Sanchez-Rico, MBA, BSN, RN, chief nurse officer and senior vice president, Huntington Health. “This designation is a tribute to our commitment to ensuring that every woman who delivers a baby at our facility is given the resources, information and support needed to help her and her baby get the best, healthiest start in life.”

The positive health effects of breastfeeding are well documented and widely recognized by health authorities throughout the world. For example, the Surgeon General’s 2011 Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding stated that “Breast milk is uniquely suited to the human infant’s nutritional needs and is a live substance with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against a host of illnesses and diseases for both mothers and children.”

We are extremely proud to be recognized for the hard work of our team members in the across perinatal care areas at Huntington,” said Amy Pendleton, MSN, MPH, director, women’s and children services, Huntington Health.  “A Baby-Friendly designation speaks to the daily efforts of our dedicated nurses and staff to provide birthing people with guidance to successfully initiate breastfeeding and continue breastfeeding when they leave our care, if they choose.”

Huntington joins a growing list of more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world. These facilities provide an environment that supports breastfeeding while respecting every woman’s right to make the best decision for herself and her family.

For more information about maternity care at Huntington, go to: Maternity Hospital | Labor and Delivery | Family Birth Center (huntingtonhealth.org)