Hackensack Meridian Health JFK Medical Center Receives Prestigious International Distinction as Baby-Friendly Hospital

Baby-Friendly USA, announced Hackensack Meridian Health JFK Medical Center has received prestigious international recognition as a designated Baby-Friendly birth facility.  As the only Baby-Friendly medical center in Middlesex county and Central New Jersey, JFK Medical Center sets the standard of care in maternity.

“This designation is an important recognition of JFK Medical Center’s commitment to improving the health of mothers and babies who entrust us with their care.  We are grateful to the maternal child health team who led this effort and to everyone who supported them throughout the entire campus and all of our facilities,” said Amie Thornton, chief hospital executive, JFK Medical Center.

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.

“Our Mother/Baby team has taken great strides to bring about a culture within the medical center that is not only welcoming for breastfeeding mothers, but also informative and encouraging,” said Paula Lingeman, MBA, BSN, RN, director, Women’s and Children’s Services, JFK Medical Center.

JFK Medical Center offers prenatal and post-natal support, which includes Prenatal Yoga, New Mother and Breastfeeding Support Groups, Childcare classes, pre-birth education classes, tours of the birthing center and more.

JFK Medical Center is rated in the top 10% of hospitals nationally for clinical excellence in Labor and Delivery by Healthgrades. The complete maternity and family suite of services helps prepare expectant parents while providing expert and compassionate care to both mother and baby.  The labor and delivery team consists of experienced medical professionals specially trained in obstetric care including obstetricians, anesthesiologists, and neonatologists who are available 24 hours a day.

There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide and JFK Medical Center is the only hospital in Middlesex County, New Jersey with this prestigious designation.  Other Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals with this designation include: Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ and Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, NJ.

Currently there are 575 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. Email info@babyfriendlyusa.org or visit www.babyfriendlyusa.org. Press Contact for Baby-Friendly, USA: Charmaine Tompkins (518) 621-7982.

For more information about JFK Medical Center maternity care and birthing center please visit: www.jfkmc.org/services/maternity or call 732-632-1632.