University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center Recognized with Five Stars by Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies

University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center, along with other maternity centers in Ohio, is taking steps to promote its support of successful breastfeeding. The Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies is a voluntary breastfeeding designation program through the Ohio Hospital Association and Ohio Department of Health 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. UH Elyria Medical Center has earned five stars – the highest designation. The initiative encourages maternity centers across the state to promote and support breastfeeding one step at a time.

As part of the program, UH Elyria Medical Center is providing information and hospital practices supportive of breastfeeding and the Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies program. Information can be found at UHElyria.org and UHhospitals.org.

“Research has shown that breastfeeding newborns can decrease the likelihood of future health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and obesity,” says Tina Schulin, BSN RNC-MMN IBCLC CKC HBCE, a Lactation Consultant and Childbirth Educator at University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center. “The support a mother receives in the hospital can impact her decision to breastfeed. We hope that Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies will encourage positive discussions among our employees and leaders so that we can help educate our patients and the community.”

For more information about Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies, visit http://ohiohospitals.org/ohiofirststeps.

About University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center

Founded in 1908, University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center is a 387-licensed bed hospital with additional campuses in Amherst, Avon and Sheffield Village. Part of the University Hospitals health system, UH Elyria Medical Center offers patients access to UH Cleveland Medical Center, a nationally recognized academic medical center, as well as programs from internationally recognized centers of excellence such as UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute. UH Elyria Medical Center has been designated a certified primary stroke center by the Joint Commission and has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Gold Receiving Quality Achievement Award for its treatment of heart attack patients. For more information, visit UHElyria.org.