Touro Infirmary Earns Baby Friendly Designation

This prestigious international award recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

Baby-Friendly USA announced last week that Touro Infirmary has received prestigious international recognition as a designated Baby-Friendly birth facility.

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.

“Touro is thrilled to earn the important designation of a Baby-Friendly birthing center,” says Susan E. Andrews, President and Chief Executive Office at Touro. “Our physicians and staff work continuously to provide the best possible care for our patients, and this designation is a reflection of that commitment.”

There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Currently there are 527 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States. The “Baby-Friendly” re-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.

Further information about the U.S. Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative may be obtained by contacting: Baby-Friendly USA, Inc., 125 Wolf Road, Suite 402, Albany, NY 12205. Phone: 518-621-7982 Fax: 518-621-7983.