What is one of the primary goals of a Baby-Friendly Hospital?

One of the primary goals of a Baby-Friendly Hospital is to keep mothers and babies together as much as possible. This practice, often referred to as mother-baby bonding or co-rooming, is crucial for fostering effective breastfeeding and enhancing the emotional connection between the mother and her infant. Close proximity allows for easier access to breastfeeding, which helps establish and maintain milk supply, promotes the infant's feeding readiness, and provides essential sensory experiences that contribute to the child's development.

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative emphasizes the importance of immediate skin-to-skin contact following birth, which can lead to better physiological stability for the newborn and encourages breastfeeding. Supporting mothers and babies to remain together leverages these benefits, ensuring that both the mother and the child receive the necessary support and care during the critical early days of life.