Clay County Medical Center and Republic County Hospital Receive 2022 High 5 for Mom & Baby Recognition
Clay County Medical Center has earned recognition as a High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier facility, while Republic County Hospital's commitment to improving infant and maternal health also has earned them recognition through High 5 for Mom & Baby.
Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in the overall health of babies and mothers and demonstrates hospitals' commitment to improving infant and maternal health.
The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, through its High 5 for Mom & Baby program, is committed to promoting breastfeeding best practices and to supporting hospitals' efforts to ensure their staff are prepared to support parents' breastfeeding needs and goals.
High 5 for Mom & Baby provides training, resources, and a framework to help Kansas hospitals and birth facilities implement five or more evidence-based practices proven to support successful breastfeeding, improving maternal and infant health outcomes while also reducing racial and ethnic health disparities.
To obtain High 5 for Mom & Baby recognition, each facility must complete a voluntary, self-reported evaluation and follow five or more of the evidence-based High 5 for Mom & Baby practices. High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier facilities follow all ten practices.
1. Facility will have a written maternity care and infant feeding policy that addresses all ten High 5 for Mom & Baby practices supporting breastfeeding
2. Facility will maintain staff competency in lactation support
3. All pregnant women will receive information and instruction on breastfeeding
4. Assure immediate and sustained skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth
5. All families will receive individualized infant feeding counseling
6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breastmilk unless medically indicated
7. Practice “rooming in” - allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day
8. Families will be encouraged to feed their babies when the baby exhibits feeding cues, regardless of feeding methods
9. Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants
10. Provide mothers options for breastfeeding support in the community (such as a telephone number, walk-in clinic information, support groups, etc.) upon discharge
The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund is a statewide health foundation that facilitates conversation and action to improve the health and wholeness of Kansans, especially those in rural and under-served communities. Through funding programs and ideas, providing hands-on expertise, and convening influencers, the Health Fund advances innovative solutions to improve Kansans' health for generations to come. Located in Hutchinson, Kansas, the Health Fund has provided more than $75 million in grants and program support since its inception in 1986.