Several Baylor Scott & White Health hospitals earned the Texas Ten Step designation from the Texas Department of State Health Services, representing a commitment to improving the health of newborns through breastfeeding support for new moms.
The Texas Ten Step program is based on the World Health Organization's Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, evidence-based practices developed by global experts that have been shown to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration. The program aims to assist birth facilities' support of breastfeeding mothers before, during, and after delivery; encourages them to identify breastfeeding resources for the mother after she is discharged; and assists facilities in improving on national performance measures such as the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) Breastfeeding Report Card.
"This designation recognizes the work, evidenced-based practices and policies that promote breastfeeding as the optimal feeding choice," said Kathy A. Chaney-Padak, manager of the lactation program at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. "The State of Texas has received national recognition for this program, working with hospitals to achieve healthy promotion for mothers and infants through exclusive breastmilk feedings."
Texas Ten Step facilities are asked to address 85 percent of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, be designated as a Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite, evaluate their breastfeeding policies, maternity care practices and educate all health care staff routinely with evidence-based courses. The program's goal is to increase breastfeeding initiation rates to 82 percent. According to the CDC's latest data, 78.4 percent of newborns in Texas have been breastfeed at least once and 42.9 percent are still breastfeeding at six months old.
"This designation is important for our breastfeeding mothers at Baylor Scott & White hospitals and their babies," said Anne Tudhope, director of women and children's services for Baylor Scott & White Health. "Our staff is dedicated to educating new moms about the many health benefits of breastfeeding and to providing tools and resources to help them be successful."
Baylor Scott & White facilities with the Texas Ten Step designation include:
- Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth
- Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Carrollton
- Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station
- Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine
- Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Irving
- Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – McKinney
- Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Brooks
Megan.Brooks@BSWHealth.org
214-820-7540
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com