Covenant HealthCare Receives Prestigious International Award

Baby-Friendly USA, announced that Covenant HealthCare has received prestigious international recognition as a Baby-Friendly Designated birth facility.

Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (“BFHI”), a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. This prestigious international award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

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 to Successful Breastfeeding as demonstrated by quality processes.

Each year, more than 3,000 babies are born at Covenant HealthCare. More than 2,000 hours of training alone went in to supporting frontline staff to reach this designation.

Currently, there are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide, with 10 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in Michigan.

Connie Downing, Director of Women’s and Children’s Services at Covenant says, “Here at Covenant we have been honing Baby-Friendly practices for nearly two decades; we have endeavored to keep families together throughout their stay and are just finishing a four year renovation project designed around family comfort and safety. This designation is recognition of Covenant’s mission to provide extraordinary care to all generations, beginning with moms and babies.”

“We are the only birthing facility in Saginaw County and serve as the regional center for mothers and babies in our immediate region and for some as far away as Sault St. Marie. I feel great pride and affection for my extraordinary team who worked so diligently to achieve this goal.”

Further information about the U.S. Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative may be obtained at www.babyfriendlyusa.org.

Learn more about Covenant's Birth Center and Lactation Services.