Bronson Battle Creek and Bronson Methodist Hospitals Receive Prestigious Baby-Friendly Designation
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Bronson Battle Creek and Bronson Methodist Hospitals have achieved the international Baby-Friendly designation. This is a distinguished honor for adhering to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding 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.
“Both BirthPlaces at Bronson Battle Creek and Bronson Methodist Hospitals have long been recognized leaders in the care of pregnant patients and their infants,” said Carol Fuller, Bronson Women & Children’s Services system director. “This designation is a tribute to a lot of hard work and determination across our organization, all to help families get off to a good start.”
The rigorous review process was conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. Both Bronson hospitals join a growing list of more than 20,000 maternity facilities in 150 countries that have achieved this designation. Nearly 600 of the facilities are located in the US.
The positive health effects of breastfeeding are well-documented and widely recognized by health authorities worldwide. For example, the Surgeon General’s 2011 Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding stated that “Breast milk is uniquely suited to the human infant’s nutritional needs and is a live substance with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against a host of illnesses and diseases for both mothers and children.”
About Bronson BirthPlace
Bronson is the leading birthing center in southwest Michigan and is nationally recognized for quality and safety. In 2023, more than 4,000 babies were born at the Bronson BirthPlaces in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.
At the Bronson BirthPlace, all families are surrounded by an exceptional care team and enjoy the comforts of private, spacious rooms with secured access for privacy and safety. They also have peace of mind knowing where they deliver their baby is connected to the region’s only Children’s Hospital and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Additional resources after birth include support from breastfeeding consultants, donor breast milk from Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank and family-centered education classes.
About Baby-Friendly USA
As the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the US, Baby-Friendly USA is responsible for upholding the highest standards in infant feeding care by coordinating and conducting all activities necessary to confer the prestigious Baby-Friendly designation and ensure the widespread adoption of the BFHI in the US. Learn more about Baby-Friendly USA and the BFHI at babyfriendlyusa.org.
