NORWAY — Stephens Memorial Hospital has received international recognition as a Baby-Friendly-designated birth facility, according to Western Maine Health Vice President of Clinical Services Margaret Burns.

Baby-Friendly USA Inc. is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund. The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding program, the award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies. Currently, there are 280 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States, six of them in Maine.

The “Baby-Friendly” designation is given after a rigorous onsite survey is completed. The award is maintained by continuing to practice the 10 steps as demonstrated by quality processes.