Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) in Antigua and Barbuda proudly revealed on Sunday its latest achievement: the Baby-Friendly® designation from the Pan American Health Organization.
This esteemed recognition is a testament to the hospital’s unwavering dedication to offering paramount care to breastfeeding mothers and their newborns.
Administered by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, the Baby-Friendly® initiative aims to equip hospitals to provide new mothers with the essential knowledge, assurance, and skills to breastfeed successfully during the initial days following childbirth.
With this achievement, Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre distinguishes itself as one of a trifecta of hospitals within the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to receive this prestigious designation.
Jacqueline JnoBaptiste, SLBMC Director of Nursing, commented on the center’s ethos, “This milestone builds upon our strong foundation of excellence in maternal and infant care, dating back to Holberton, the nation’s first hospital.”
“With this new designation, we officially join other Baby-Friendly Hospitals in leading the way to ensure that mothers receive the information and support they need to safely and successfully meet their infant’s nutritional needs,” JnoBaptiste added.
A year of blossoming and growth at SLBMC
Between January and August, Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre witnessed an influx of over 500 live births, with a remarkable 13 sets of twins making their debut.
A commendable 90 per cent of these new mothers initiated breastfeeding during their hospital stay, and 88 per cent exclusively breastfed their newborns upon discharge.
To further amplify its maternal care offerings, the hospital expanded its antenatal classes to encompass all prospective parents, enabling them with invaluable techniques and science-backed information. This proactive approach ensures parents are perpetually equipped to make enlightened decisions.
Annmarie Browne-Isaac, SLBMC Departmental Nurse Manager overseeing Maternity and Outpatient Clinic Departments, shared, “This has truly been a collaborative effort across multiple disciplines, and, in particular, this designation would not have been possible without the evidence-based practice change that our nurses embraced.”
“As with all types of care and education, patients and families are at the heart of every practice around infant feeding—So It’s important to note that while the designation is called Baby-Friendly, we are equally committed to being mother-friendly,” she said. “We respect every woman’s choice about how to feed her infant and will do everything possible to support them while they are in our care,” Browne-Isaac continued.
Championing mother-infant bonding through “skin-to-skin” care
Integral to the philosophy of Baby-Friendly Hospitals is the “skin-to-skin or kangaroo care.”
This intimate practice fosters profound mother-infant bonding, with the newborn nestled directly on the mother’s exposed chest post-delivery, ensconced in warmth, and maintained for a minimum of an hour or post the inaugural feed.
From January to August, an astounding 93 per cent of mothers at SLBMC experienced this profound connection with their newborns, a testament to the maternity care team’s expertise.
Dr Shivon Belle-Jarvis, SLBMC Pediatric Department Chair, reflected on the profound impact of such simple acts, “This national milestone will significantly impact the lives of our children. Not only will it contribute to reducing neonatal mortality, and the rates of infectious diseases but it will also have a protective effect against obesity and other non-communicable diseases. It is a priceless contributor to generational health.”
“This national milestone is not merely symbolic but transformative for our young ones. Beyond curbing neonatal mortality and infectious diseases, it offers a bulwark against obesity and other chronic ailments. This is a gift of enduring health for generations.”
A collective triumph for public health
Samantha Moitt, the Ministry’s Chief Nutrition Officer and lead coordinator, extolled the collective spirit of the entire SLBMC team and its partners, including community clinics and the breastfeeding support network.
She shared that the triumph is not just for Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre but a broader celebration of public health and our commitment to mothers and infants in Antigua & Barbuda.
Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Teri-Ann Joseph, also hailed the healthcare workers’ relentless dedication and assured the Ministry’s sustained backing for the program.
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