NW Medical Bentonville receives international award

Baby-Friendly USA recently announced that Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville was chosen as the second hospital in the State of Arkansas to receive their prestigious international recognition as a BabyFriendly Designated birth facility.

“We’re excited that Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville quickly followed Willow Creek Women’s Hospital as the second Baby Friendly designated hospital in Arkansas,” Sharif Omar, CEO, Northwest Health said.““It is thrilling to have the first and only two hospitals in the state of Arkansas with this designation which simply affirms our commitment to the safest and highest quality care for our newborns and moms at both or the Northwest Health hospitals,” he explained.

Baby-Friendly USA, Inc is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (“BFHI”), a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this prestigious international award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Currently there are 345 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States. The “Baby-Friendly” designation is given after a rigorous on-site survey is completed. The award is maintained by continuing to practice the Ten Steps as demonstrated by quality processes.

For more information about the U.S. Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative visit babyfriendlyusa.org.

For more information about the unique level of care and services offered at Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville for residents of Northwest Arkansas, visit northwesthealth. com/Babies.