BREASTFEEDING is the BEST FOOD for babies.

As Missouri’s only Baby-Friendly™ Hospital, the Chris Coon’s Women’s Care Center at Hannibal Regional Hospital serves as the state leader in advocating breastfeeding. With clear health benefits for both moms and babies, breastfeeding is a wise choice. Hannibal Regional Hospital’s breastfeeding experts can help you get off to a great start.

The Breastfeeding Support Group is open to all nursing mothers, regardless of where the baby was born. The Breastfeeding Support Group meets each Monday at 5 pm and each Wednesday at 10 am in the OB classroom at Hannibal Regional Hospital.

The Breastfeeding Warmline – 573-406-2122 - is available 24 hours per day to answer questions about breastfeeding.

To read the CDC 2011 Breastfeeding Report Card, click here.

As Missouri’s only Baby-Friendly™ facility, the Chris Coons Women’s Care Center at Hannibal Regional Hospital has been recognized by the Missouri Department of Health as the state experts on breastfeeding and asked to share their expertise with other hospitals in the state. By sharing their knowledge, the Chris Coons Women’s Care Center team is supporting national goals of improving the health of U.S. citizens. The U.S. Surgeon General, as well as a White House Task Force and the U.S. government’s Healthy People 2020 objectives have called for more education regarding the benefits of breastfeeding in order to foster healthier communities.

In order to achieve the stringent Baby-Friendly designation, the Chris Coons Women’s Care Center improved breastfeeding initiation rates from 62% to 75%, and the rate continues to climb. A recent CDC survey ranks Hannibal Regional Hospital’s infant feeding care practices as better than 97% of all birth facilities nationwide. Patient satisfaction rates have increased as well through support for new breastfeeding moms and their families.

The Baby-Friendly designation is awarded following completion of a rigorous on-site survey.  Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this prestigious international award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding. The award is maintained by continuing to practice the Ten Steps as demonstrated by quality processes.

 Ten Steps for Successful Breastfeeding:

• Family quiet time from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily
• Education for parents to learn how to calm their crying infant with the five S’s: Swaddling, Side/Stomach Position, Shushing Sounds, Swinging, Sucking
• Updates to education materials
• Redesign of Childbirth Education classes to reflect family-centered maternity care
• Breast Feeding Support Line and weekly breastfeeding support groups held on Monday nights and Wednesday mornings
• Designation of a lactation room for all breastfeeding mothers

Hannibal Regional Hospital President and CEO John Grossmeier said, “Hospitals have a unique opportunity to encourage and assist mothers with the initiation and continued support of breastfeeding.” Mr. Grossmeier continued. “Hannibal Regional Hospital is honored by the Baby-Friendly designation and, more importantly, pleased to be able to bring this level of care to our region.”

Studies have shown that breastfeeding translates to better health for both babies and mothers and health benefits persist throughout life. Babies who are breastfed have fewer and less serious illnesses, including a reduced risk of SIDS and less childhood cancer and diabetes. Mothers who breastfeed enjoy decreased risks of breast and ovarian cancer, anemia, and osteoporosis.

Baby-Friendly USA 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. The CDC reports that less than 2% of hospitals providing birthing services in the United States are Baby-Friendly designated. Hannibal Regional Hospital is now among this elite group. Currently there are fewer than 100 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States.

For more information regarding the Chris Coons Women’s Care Center at Hannibal Regional Hospital and services provided, please call 573-248-5170.

Leading the Way with Excellence

As Missouri’s only Baby-Friendly™ Hospital, the Chris Coon’s Women’s Care Center (CCWCC) at Hannibal Regional Hospital serves as the state leader in advocating breastfeeding. The Chris Coons Women’s Care Center has changed the culture of birthing babies to a culture of family-centered maternity care. Focused efforts have integrated a safe medical environment with an evidence-based educational environment which prepares new parents to care for their baby with confidence.

Hospitals and organizations outside of our region have consulted Chris Coons Women’s Care Center to learn best practices for breastfeeding and maternal-child care. Our team members have served as a resource to numerous organizations. 

Click here to read the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article featuring CCWCC. 
Click here to read a congratulatory letter from the United States Breastfeeding Committee. 
Click here to read breastfeeding information featuring Hannibal Regional Hospital which was released by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. 
Click here to read more about recent presentations.

Missouri Show Me 5! Steps to Successful Breastfeeding - Healthy Living 8-2012

Linda Dinges, BSN - Director of Hannibal Regional Hospital Chris Coons Women's Care Center and Diane Bibb, MSN, IBCLC - Lactation Consultant discuss breast feedling and what it takes to be the only Baby Friendly™ hospital in Missouri.

Part 1 of 2


Part 2 of 2
 
For more information contact Diane Bibb - 573-248-5658 - diane.bibb@hrhonline.org