FLORIDA HOSPITAL WESLEY CHAPEL TAKES STEPS TO ENHANCE BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES  

Pasco County – Florida Department of Health in Pasco County is excited to announce that Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel has taken the Baby Steps to Becoming Baby-Friendly.  This Healthiest Weight Florida Initiative supports hospitals that are enhancing maternity care practices in support of breastfeeding. Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and the Florida Breastfeeding Coalition’s Quest for Quality Maternity Care Award promotes hospital recognition to increase early breastfeeding.

“Our hospitals play an important role in supporting mothers with information and skills to make breastfeeding a viable healthy choice.” said Mike Napier, Florida Department of Health in Pasco County, Health Officer. “I am thrilled that the Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel has accepted this challenge and look forward to other hospitals and birthing facilities joining this important effort to improve health in Pasco County.  

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program launched by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing facilities that offer the finest care for infant feeding and mother/baby bonding.

Continuing its efforts in 2016, the Florida Department of Health has collaborated with 42 Florida hospitals from 26 counties to carry out the Baby Steps to Baby Friendly project.

There is a growing body of evidence that supports breastfeeding as critical to improved health outcomes of mothers and babies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mothers that breastfeed their children are at a healthier weight on average than those who do not. They also have a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, breast and ovarian cancer. Children who are breastfed have a lower risk for developing respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, asthma, obesity, Type 2 diabetes and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

To learn more about the department’s efforts to support the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative visit www.healthiestweightflorida.com/activities/baby-steps.html.

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