Saint Francis-Bartlett Receives Baby-Friendly Designation

BARTLETT, Tenn. June 12, 2018 - Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett has been named a Baby-Friendly birth facility by Baby-Friendly USA, making Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett one of only two hospitals in the Memphis area to hold this distinction. The Baby-Friendly recognition acknowledges Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett’s commitment to providing an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett successfully completed an on-site assessment confirming the implementation of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative’s Ten Steps To Successful Breastfeeding program. Studies have concluded that babies who breastfeed have lower risks for certain illnesses and medical conditions.

“Being named a Baby-Friendly hospital affirms our commitment to ensuring high quality mother/baby care,” said Suzan Hartling-Wood, R.N., Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett director of women’s services. “As one of less than 600 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States, we are dedicated to providing mothers with the information they need to successfully breastfeed their babies in a stress-free manner.”

Baby Friendly USA is the accrediting body for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. A global program for the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the initiative is designed to set the standards for the best possible breastfeeding support for mother and infant in the maternity setting.