What is a Baby-Friendly Hospital?
Begun by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 1991, the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is aimed at providing the best care possible for pregnant women, mothers, and newborns while they are at the hospital. A chief concern of the BFHI is that the act of breastfeeding is protected, promoted, and supported.
Giving birth is an emotional and potentially stressful endeavor. Health insurance plays a role in the type of care you receive, both before and after the birth of your child. Find out more about how having the right health insurance can ease the process of giving birth by calling 888-875-9888 to reach the California medical insurance professionals at Catherine Michaels Insurance Services.
BFHI Recommendations
In order for a hospital to be an accredited Baby Friendly facility, it must meet 10 points. At the heart of these ten points are the following recommendations and facts:
- Babies should consume only mother’s milk for the first six months of life
- Breastfeeding should be initiated within half an hour of birth
- Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer some serious illnesses
- Adults that were breastfed as newborns have less risk for certain conditions, like heart disease
In Baby Friendly hospitals, the institution is required to inform mothers of the benefits and encourage the act of breastfeeding.
Contact Us
If you have questions about whether or not your health insurance covers you at an accredited Baby Friendly Hospital, get in touch with Catherine Michaels Insurance Services by calling 888-875-9888. Our California health insurance agents can help you do what’s best for you and your baby.