Two Virtua hospitals have achieved a prestigious distinction for their childbirth programs. Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. (BFUSA) has designated both Virtua Memorial in Mount Holly and Virtua Voorhees as Baby-Friendly birth facilities.

This recognition signifies that Virtua has implemented BFUSA’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, which help mothers attain the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding.

“Virtua has worked diligently toward this designation, and we are honored to be part of this important global initiative that highlights our dedication to our new mothers and our littlest customers,” said Pam Gallus, MSN, RN, NE-BC, assistant vice president of maternal child health at Virtua, a leading not-for-profit health system based in Marlton, N.J.

“A Baby-Friendly designation is all about mothers, babies, and their bonding,” Gallus added. “The Ten Steps include skin-to-skin contact, rooming in, and exclusive breastfeeding—which all have health benefits for both mothers and babies.”

BFUSA is part of an international 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. Virtua hospitals are among 568 designated Baby-Friendly facilities in the United States and 20,000 sites worldwide.

“As a health system that is synonymous with mothers and babies in South Jersey, Virtua is proud to have achieved the Baby-Friendly designation,” said Nicole Lamborne, MD, FACOG, Virtua’s program director for women’s health. “Our entire staff has been persistent in adhering to the Ten Steps principles to achieve this milestone. That dedication will continue as we maintain the Baby-Friendly standards in the years ahead.”

To learn more about maternity care at Virtua, call 1-888-847-8823.