Inova Alexandria Hospital Received Prestigious International Award

FALLS CHURCH, VA – Inova Alexandria Hospital is proud to announce that it has received prestigious international recognition as a Baby-Friendly birth facility by Baby-Friendly USA, Inc.

Baby-Friendly, USA is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) — a global program of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals that provide the optimal level of care for mothers and their breastfeeding newborns. Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this prestigious award recognizes facilities that offer the mothers information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

“Inova Alexandria Hospital is excited to be designated as a Baby-Friendly hospital,” said Susan Carroll, Chief Executive Officer, Inova Alexandria Hospital. “We are committed to adopting evidence-based practices that supports the healthiest of outcomes for our mothers and babies through breastfeeding.”

Baby-Friendly advocates exclusive breastfeeding and educates mothers on the benefits of breast milk for the baby’s growth and development.

“There is overwhelming public health evidence that exclusive breastfeeding improves the health of both mothers and babies,” shared Stephen A. Haering, MD, MPH, FACPM, Health Director, Alexandria Health Department. Inova Alexandria Hospital and the Alexandria Health Department have worked cooperatively for many years to support families and improve community health. “Inova Alexandria Hospital’s Baby-Friendly designation is a wonderful accomplishment — Alexandria Health Department is pleased to have been able to contribute to their work.”

“We believe the birth of your baby should be a joyful experience for you.” continued Carroll. We seek every opportunity to meet the unique needs of each person we are privileged to serve and to understand what is most important to you and your family.”