NORWOOD – The Department of Public Health recently recognized Norwood Hospital’s Small Miracles Obstetrics Department with its 2011 Breastfeeding Achievement Award.

The distinction recognizes hospitals for following best practice in supporting breastfeeding mothers and their newborns. At Norwood Hospital, some of these practices include advanced training for staff, as well as education and support for breastfeeding mothers. Norwood Hospital patients have access to 17 RN’s with certification as lactation counselors, and an outpatient lactation clinic. The hospital offers community-wide resources such as a free drop-in support group.

Beginning in January, the hospital will also give a free lecture series on Why to Breastfeed and How to Breastfeed, on Wednesday evenings.

Norwood Hospital has committed to achieving the Baby-Friendly Hospital designation. This designation, an initiative of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), encourages hospitals to offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding. As part of the designation process, all nurses have completed an 18-hour curriculum on breastfeeding.

“I’m really proud of the maternity staff’s commitment and the extra effort that have earned them this award and importantly, given our new moms and babies the advantage of their exceptional breastfeeding care,” said Jessica Buinicki, RN, BSN, Small Miracles’ nurse manager

For more information on Norwood Hospital’s breastfeeding educational and support programs, please contact Dana Paris- Mahoney, childbirth education, 781-278-6402 or NHChildbirthEd @steward.org

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