Texas Health HEB Earns Re-designation as 'Baby-Friendly'
BEDFORD, TEXAS, June 11, 2015 – Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford was recently re-designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) as a “Baby-Friendly Hospital.” The five-year designation recognizes the hospital’s comprehensive approach to supporting breastfeeding of newborns.
In 2009 Texas Health HEB became the third hospital in Texas to earn the "Baby Friendly" designation from the WHO and UNICEF. Texas Health HEB is the only Baby-Friendly hospital in Northeast Tarrant County, and one of only ten designated hospitals in Texas.
“We are honored to achieve this prestigious re-designation. This demonstrates that the team at our Breastfeeding Support Center has continued to maintain evidence-based practices to protect and promote breastfeeding as the safest and healthiest nutrition for newborns,” said Debra Grant, chief nursing officer at Texas Health HEB.
According to Baby-Friendly USA, the accrediting body for the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative in the United States, mothers who give birth at a Baby-Friendly hospital are more likely to initiate exclusive breastfeeding and more likely to sustain breastfeeding at six months and one year of age.
The re-designation means that Texas Health HEB has consistently maintained distinct high standards of care for breastfeeding families, and has carried out advocacy, education and policy work, supporting and promoting the benefits of breastfeeding.
“Achieving this re-designation recognizes our commitment to giving babies born at Texas Health HEB the best possible start to a lifetime of good health,” said Mary Lou Wilson, director of Women’s Services at Texas Health HEB. “It confirms our team’s efforts in providing excellent breastfeeding support to our moms and their families and recognizes the hard work and commitment of our staff to providing our new families with an environment that is supportive of breastfeeding.”
For more information on Women and Infant’s Services at Texas Health HEB, including the Breastfeeding Support Center, visit www.TexasHealth.org/HEB-Women .
###
About Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford is a 304-bed, acute-care facility serving Northeast Tarrant County since 1973. The hospital’s services include women’s services, a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, a dedicated oncology unit, comprehensive cardiac services (including cardiac rehabilitation), and behavioral health services through Texas Health Springwood Hospital. Texas Health HEB recently received Level III Trauma Center designation as well as dual accreditation as a Cycle IV Chest Pain Center and Heart Failure Center. The hospital also is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, certified as a Primary Stroke Center and designated as a "Baby Friendly" facility by WHO and UNICEF.Texas Health HEB is an affiliate of the faith-based, nonprofit Texas Health Resources system. For more information, call 1-877-THR-WELL, or visit TexasHealth.org/HEB.