Penticton, B.C., has been recognized as a baby-friendly zone thanks to the healthcare teams at Penticton Regional Hospital and Penticton Health Centre. They have been awarded the national and global designation for the Baby-Friendly Initiative, a program by the World Health Organization and UNICEF that promotes optimal care and breastfeeding practices. By implementing the BFI’s 10 steps to successful breastfeeding policies, the facilities aim to make breastfeeding easier for families and improve their overall experience, ultimately increasing breastfeeding rates. In 2019, PRH was chosen to pilot a national BFI quality improvement project, with support from the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada and funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The PHC, as a close partner in care, also participated in the project, adopting a community-based collaborative model to work together.
The collaboration between PRH and PHC was also supported by the Systems Change Project, funded by the Vancouver Foundation. After four years of dedicated work, PRH and PHC have become only the fourth facility in the province and the 28th in Canada to receive the official baby-friendly designation. This recognition highlights their commitment to supporting new parents and their babies through best breastfeeding practices, ultimately aiming to ensure families have the best start possible and receive ongoing support as needed. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the healthcare teams at both facilities.
By implementing the BFI’s guidelines and participating in quality improvement projects, PRH and PHC have demonstrated their commitment to providing high-quality care for new parents and their babies. The recognition as baby-friendly facilities showcases their dedication to promoting optimal breastfeeding practices and supporting families in their breastfeeding journey. This designation not only benefits the families who receive care at PRH and PHC but also sets an example for other healthcare facilities in the province and across the country. As part of a select group of facilities with the official baby-friendly designation, PRH and PHC are leading the way in promoting best practices in breastfeeding and chestfeeding support.
The successful implementation of the BFI’s 10 steps to successful breastfeeding policies at PRH and PHC has led to improved family experiences and increased breastfeeding rates. By providing families with the necessary support and resources, the facilities are helping parents and babies to establish a strong foundation for breastfeeding. The recognition of PRH and PHC as baby-friendly facilities underscores their commitment to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for new parents and their babies. This achievement is a reflection of the dedication and expertise of the healthcare teams at both facilities, who work tirelessly to ensure that families receive the best possible care and support.
Overall, the official designation of PRH and PHC as baby-friendly facilities is a significant achievement that recognizes their commitment to promoting optimal breastfeeding practices and supporting families in their breastfeeding journey. Through their participation in quality improvement projects and adherence to the BFI’s guidelines, PRH and PHC have demonstrated their dedication to providing high-quality care for new parents and their babies. This recognition not only benefits the families who receive care at the facilities but also serves as a model for other healthcare facilities looking to improve their breastfeeding support. PRH and PHC are setting an example for how healthcare facilities can create a supportive and welcoming environment for new parents and their babies, ultimately leading to improved family experiences and increased breastfeeding rates.
