North Oaks Medical Center proudly announces earning Louisiana’s primary breastfeeding designation given by
TheGift. The Louisiana Department of Health – Office of Public Health –
Bureau of Family Health awards
The Giftdesignation statewide to Louisiana birthing facilities who improve hospital
practices and policies that are aligned with the evidence-based, internationally
recognized
Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding of the World Health Organization/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.
Policy development, education of staff, patient education and provision
of discharge resources for breastfeeding mothers are key components of
the program.
“We are thrilled to join the family of top-tier maternity facilities
in the state in receiving
The Gift designation,” affirms Kimberly Woods, Director of
North Oaks Women & Children’s Services. “This achievement demonstrates our team’s commitment to offering
quality, patient-centered care and highlights how North Oaks goes the
extra mile to help give mothers and babies a healthy start, as well as
assures that we are fully supporting mothers who choose to breastfeed.”
The Gift is an evidence-based designation program for Louisiana birthing facilities
designed to increase breastfeeding rates and hospital success by improving
the quality of maternity services and enhancing patient-centered care.
The Gift designation gives North Oaks Medical Center a better opportunity to achieve
further certifications and accreditations, as well as meet national and
international quality measures and standards of care.
“Our goal is to provide mothers and babies with the very best information
and tools at this crucial moment in their lives and we are able to do
so through valuable hospital partners like North Oaks Medical Center,”
noted Marci Brewer Asling, State Breastfeeding Program Manager, Bureau
of Family Health.
“The Gift program encourages continued progress toward the pursuit of the international
designation, Baby-Friendly, a global initiative to promote hospitals and
birthing centers that offer optimal care in lactation services.”