The Maternal Care team at Amberwell Atchison continues its commitment to improving infant and maternal health by earning recognition through High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier, a program developed by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in Kansas.
High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier provides resources and a framework to help Kansas hospitals and birth facilities implement ten evidence-based practices proven to support successful breastfeeding. These practices are designed to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
To obtain High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier recognition, each facility completes a voluntary, self-reported evaluation and must follow all ten of the evidence-based practices:
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Maintain a written maternity care and infant feeding policy addressing all ten High 5 practices supporting breastfeeding
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Maintain staff competency in lactation support
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Provide all pregnant women with information and instruction on breastfeeding
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Assure immediate and sustained skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth
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Provide individualized infant feeding counseling to all families
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Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breastmilk unless medically indicated
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Practice “rooming in,” allowing mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day
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Encourage families to feed their babies when feeding cues are shown, regardless of feeding method
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Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants
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Provide mothers with options for breastfeeding support in the community upon discharge
“Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in the overall health of babies and mothers,” said Katie Schoenhoff, Director of Programs at the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. “Following the ten High 5 for Mom & Baby practices demonstrates Amberwell Atchison’s commitment to infant and maternal health by helping moms successfully initiate and maintain breastfeeding.”
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), 60% of mothers stop breastfeeding sooner than they planned. Factors that influence breastfeeding duration include hospital practices, education and encouragement, workplace policies and support, and access to community resources. High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier facilities are committed to supporting breastfeeding success through trained staff, evidence-based policies, and ongoing patient education.
Along with being named a High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier facility, Amberwell Atchison receives continued education and training opportunities, support and resources through a statewide community of delivery centers, and scholarship opportunities to further staff education.
“Breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits for both infants and mothers, and we’re honored to receive this recognition from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund for our efforts to support successful breastfeeding initiation and maintenance,” said Jane Walsh, Director of Maternal Care at Amberwell Atchison. “As a facility committed to providing high-quality care, we have found the High 5 practices and resources to improve health outcomes while also increasing patient satisfaction.”
For more information on High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier, visit https://www.high5kansas.org/.