Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland has been designated as a Baby-Friendly Hospital by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative USA (BFHI). MCR joins Poudre Valley Hospital as two of only three Baby-Friendly Hospitals in Colorado. Exempla Good Samaritan in Lafayette shares the designation also.

A Baby-Friendly Hospital takes special steps to create the best possible hospital environment for successful breastfeeding. This award recognizes hospitals and birthing facilities that offer mothers the information, confidence, and skills to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

Breastfeeding supports optimal development and protects babies against acute and chronic illness. It also prevents obesity. By helping moms successfully initiate breastfeeding, we take the first step in the fight against childhood obesity. A baby's risk of becoming an overweight child goes down with each month of breastfeeding.

"This designation shows MCR's commitment to the health of mothers and babies as well our dedication to breastfeeding success", said Kay Miller, chief nursing officer at MCR.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that hospitals can either help or hinder mothers and babies as they begin to breast-feed. BHFI's Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding has increased breastfeeding rates by offering the support that mothers need. The CDC encourages all hospitals to follow the guidelines set forth by Baby-Friendly to ensure mothers can start and continue breastfeeding.

Baby-Friendly USA is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative ("BFHI"), 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.

There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Currently there are 125 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States. The Baby-Friendly 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.

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