Beverly Hospital Receives Prestigious Baby-Friendly Designation
One of 17 Hospitals in Massachusetts To Earn the Distinction
Beverly, MA – Beverly Hospital, part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, has achieved the prestigious international Baby-Friendly designation in recognition of its adherence to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.
The designation was awarded following a rigorous review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, which is responsible for bestowing the certification in the United States. The designation extends through 2030.
The Baby-Friendly 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 first days of a newborn’s life.
“Beverly Hospital has long been a recognized leader in the care of women and newborns,” said Tom Sands, market president – North Shore for Beth Israel Lahey Health and president of Beverly, Addison Gilbert and BayRidge Hospitals. “This designation is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that everyone who delivers a baby at Beverly Hospital is given the resources, information and support needed to help parents and babies get the best, healthiest start in life.”
The positive health effects of breastfeeding are well documented and widely recognized by health authorities throughout the world, including WHO, the National Institutes for Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and American Academy of Family Physicians.
Beverly Hospital supports its maternity patients through highly trained nurses, including nurses certified in lactation, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, certified nurse midwives and physicians. The hospital also offers outpatient lactation services, breastfeeding and childbirth education classes, and support groups. Employees of Beverly Hospital are supported in their breastfeeding journey with dedicated spaces to pump and discounts on prenatal and postpartum classes.
“We are proud of Beverly Hospital’s Obstetrics and Maternity Services for achieving this honor,” said Kimberly Perryman, MMHC, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer for Beverly Hospital. “Our team went through extensive training as part of the Baby-Friendly initiative to learn how to support new moms through education that will help them make informed decisions about feeding their baby.”
Beverly Hospital joins a growing list of more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world, 563 of which are in the United States. It is one of 17 hospitals in Massachusetts to achieve the designation. These facilities provide an environment that supports breastfeeding while respecting every woman’s right to make the best decision for herself and her family.
“The hospital experience strongly influences a mother’s ability to start and continue breastfeeding,” said Anna McNicholas, RN, MSN, nurse manager for Beverly Hospital’s special care nursery, parent education and lactation. “We are proud to offer an environment that supports best practices shown to increase breastfeeding exclusivity and duration, and are committed to giving mothers who choose to breastfeed the best chance for success.”
About Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals
Beverly Hospital is a full-service 373-bed community hospital founded in 1888 that serves more than 13 communities across Massachusetts’ North Shore and Cape Ann. With a medical staff of more than 500 physicians, the hospital provides quality, patient-centered care in maternity, pediatrics, surgical, orthopedics and cardiology, as well as other specialties.
Addison Gilbert Hospital is a 52-bed community hospital located in Gloucester, MA. Since its founding in 1889, Cape Ann residents have turned to the hospital when they needed care. Specialties include radiology, cancer care, pain management, cardiology, chronic disease management, inpatient geriatric services and emergency medicine.
Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals are a part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, a health care system that brings together academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, community and specialty hospitals, more than 4,700 physicians and 39,000 employees in a shared mission to expand access to great care and advance the science and practice of medicine through groundbreaking research and education.
