Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies
Wood County Hospital’s Family Birthing Center Recognized with First Steps for Healthy Babies Award
The Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies is a voluntary breastfeeding designation program that recognizes maternity centers in Ohio for taking steps to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in their organization. A star is awarded for every two steps achieved in the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, as defined by the World Health Organization and Baby-Friendly USA. Health care facilities can earn five stars as a part of this effort with the option to select which steps, some or all, to adopt.
In August, during National Breastfeeding Month, the Ohio Hospital Association and the Ohio Department of Health recognized WCH for newly achieving Steps 5 and 6. Our Family Birthing Center is now recognized with three stars for the completion of six steps of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Our Center also successfully renewed steps 4, 7, 8, and 10.
In 2022, Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies, in partnership with the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood, proudly recognized hospitals for engaging fathers and partners in the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. WCH was one of 17 hospitals in Ohio to achieve bronze status for the new Father/Partner Engagement Designation.
Learn More About the New Father/Partner Engagement Designation Achievement
Thank you to our OB staff who work hard to ensure we are aligning our practices with the Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies program and encourage mothers to breastfeed and give babies a healthy start.