Baby-Friendly USA has recognized Hackensack Meridian Health JFK Medical Center as a designated Baby-Friendly birth facility, the only Baby-Friendly medical center in Middlesex County and Central New Jersey.
“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 of JFK Medical Center.
Baby-Friendly USA, Inc is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.
The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and 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 of the Women’s and Children’s Services at JFK.
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.
For more information, visit www.babyfriendlyusa.org or www.jfkmc.org/services/maternity or call 732-632-1632.