Cape Cod Hospital Receives Baby-Friendly Designation

(Hyannis, MA (November 1, 2022) Cape Cod Hospital is proud to announce that it has earned the highly prestigious international Baby-Friendly designation after a rigorous review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for bestowing this certification in the United States.

In 2016, The Family Birthplace at Cape Cod Hospital began the process of earning the Baby-Friendly Hospital designation. A dedicated team includes nurses, midwives, lactation consultants, obstetricians, pediatricians, interpreters and support staff who work collaboratively to deliver Baby-Friendly policies.

This distinguished honor demonstrates that Cape Cod Hospital is adhering to the highest standards of care for mothers and their babies. These standards are built on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a set of evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for optimal infant feeding support in the precious first days of a newborn’s life.

Cape Cod Hospital joins a growing list of more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world, 600 of which are in the United States. These facilities provide an environment that supports breastfeeding while respecting every woman’s right to make the best decision for herself and her family.

“The Baby-Friendly designation reflects the entire staff’s dedication to the care and well-being of our patients,” said Dr. William Agel, Chief Medical Officer at Cape Cod Healthcare and an OB/GYN specialist.

Learn more about this initiative at www.capecodhealth.org/baby-friendly