[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 45 (Thursday, April 21, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            THE UNICEF/WHO BABY FRIENDLY HOSPITAL INITIATIVE

 Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, I recently received a letter from 
the U.S. Committee for UNICEF regarding the activities of the hospitals 
in the State of Illinois. These 10 hospitals have been awarded 
certificates of intent to implement the UNICEF/WHO Baby Friendly 
Hospital Initiative.
  The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program to 
encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an 
optimal level of care for lactation. This initiative assists hospitals 
in giving breast-feeding mothers the information, confidence, and 
skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breast feeding 
their babies and gives special recognition to hospitals that have done 
so.
  Breast feeding has been found to be the most effective way to provide 
a baby with a complete nurturing environment. This is crucial, 
particularly in these times of increasing health care risks and costs 
and societal issues that mothers and children face.
  I applaud the hospitals in Illinois who have committed themselves to 
working toward the rigorous goals of this initiative. The hospitals 
are: Alexian Brothers Medical Center, Central Du Page Hospital, Hoffman 
Estates Medical Center, Memorial Medical Center, Northwest Community 
Hospital, Ravenswood Hospital Medical Center, St. John's Hospital, St. 
Joseph's Hospital, University of Chicago Hospitals, and Wyler 
Children's Hospital.
  In order to reach the goals of this initiative, these hospitals have 
gone through a comprehensive self-examination of their own practices 
and policies as they relate to breast feeding promotion. This is an 
admirable task which will hopefully contribute to the health and well-
being of our babies and mothers.

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