In December, Chester County Hospital was named a Best Hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report, and now, it has been recognized for excellence in lactation care.

The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) has once again recognized Chester County Hospital for excellence in lactation care.

Chester County Hospital has received the IBCLC Care Award in recognition for staffing professionals who hold the prestigious IBCLC certification and providing a lactation program for breastfeeding families. Also, the facility demonstrated that it has recently completed activities that help protect, promote, and support breastfeeding, including expanding its donor human milk program.

“Achieving this award is a testament to our Lactation Consultant Team and Nursing Staff for proving outstanding care for parents and their newborns,” said Frances Doyle, Director of Maternal Child Services. “Through their dedicated effort, they help families create a precious bond with their children from the earliest moments possible.”

“The lactation staff works closely with the medical providers and nurses to implement evidence-based care from prenatal appointments, through the hospital stay and after discharge,” said Robin Frees, Lactation Consultant and Baby Friendly Co-Coordinator at Chester County Hospital. “We first became a Baby Friendly Hospital in 2019. This designation and the IBCLC Care Award demonstrate our dedication to providing new families in our community with exceptional care.”

The Baby Friendly Hospital initiative is a global effort to improve the care of pregnant women, mothers, and infants by protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding.

“The hospital has continued to implement and grow our Baby Friendly practices, as well as expand our prenatal education for parents,” said Frees. “Our goal is that parents have the most current information about optimal infant feeding and can make the best choice for themselves, their babies, and their families.”

To see Chester County Hospital’s wellness groups and event offerings for parents, visit its Parent Wellness Network or see its extensive list of breastfeeding resources.