A Brookhaven hospital has been recognized for offering an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

King’s Daughters Medical Center has received prestigious international recognition as a Designated Baby-Friendly birth facility, according to Baby-Friendly USA, an offshoot of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

“It was so exciting to receive the news that we were designated ‘Baby Friendly,’” said registered nurse Lou Ann Wall, lactation nurse. “I want to congratulate all of my fellow nurses and our physicians for being so cooperative during this time of learning a new and better way to care for our moms and babies.”

Baby-Friendly USA is the U.S. authority that implements the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global program sponsored by WHO and 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 award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

“What I love most about ‘Baby Friendly’ is helping moms hold their baby skin-to-skin on their chest immediately after delivery and assisting with that first time the baby latches on to breastfeed. It’s all about keeping mom and baby together during this special time,” Wall said.

Angie Williamson, labor and delivery director, said KDMC is one of 10 facilities in the state and one of  557 facilities in the nation to receive the recognition.

“There’s nothing more wonderful than the birth of your child,” she said. “I personally think there’s no better place to experience these precious moments than in the first fully-dedicated, single-room labor and delivery suites in Mississippi. Our commitment to our mothers is very evident — the ‘Baby Friendly’ initiative, Mommy University and breastfeeding classes are all focused on both mom and baby to lead them in those formative years to live a full and healthy life.

“This is just another way we have partnered with our community to ensure that we are educating and standing alongside all of the mothers that deliver their babies at KDMC.”

There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Currently there are 557 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.