Baby-Friendly® and its logo are registered with the US Committee for UNICEF.

Bridgton Hospital is pleased to announce that they have been awarded the prestigious international recognition as a Baby-Friendly® birth facility. Bridgton Hospital is the first Critical Access Hospital in Maine to been designated Baby-Friendly and one of just 116 nationwide to obtain the recognition.

According to Crystal Drew, RN, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and obstetrics clinical coordinator, "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)." Ms. Drew continues, "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, this prestigious international award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies. The entire staff of the Special Delivery Family Birthing Center at Bridgton Hospital committed to pursuing this rigorous certification process to obtain this important designation for the babies and mothers of our commuity."

Bridgton Hospital becomes the fifth Maine hospital that is designated Baby Friendly, including Central Maine Medical Center, York Hospital, Maine General and Miles Memorial Hospital.

There are more than 19,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide and 116 in the US. The "Baby-Friendly" designation is given after an intense on-site survey is completed. The award is maintained by continuing to practice the Ten Steps as demonstrated by quality processes.

Further information about the U.S. Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative may be obtained by visiting their website at www.babyfriendlyusa.org.