Florida Surgeon General Dr. John H. Armstrong visited Jacksonville Sept. 11 to celebrate Naval Hospital (NH) Jacksonville and St. Vincent's Medical Center Southside's certifications as Baby Friendly hospitals.

NH Jacksonville was the first hospital in North Florida certified Baby Friendly (in 2011), and St. Vincent's Medical Center Southside certified in 2014. There are currently 10 Baby Friendly hospitals in Florida.

"As 'baby friendly hospitals,' Naval Hospital Jacksonville and St. Vincent's Medical Center Southside are promoting healthy babies and mothers through breast-feeding," said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John H. Armstrong. "These hospitals are leaders for innovation on the First Coast."

Baby Friendly certification is given by Baby-Friendly USA, part of a global initiative sponsored by World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). It's awarded to hospitals that meet and maintain multiple standards that support optimal care for infant feeding and mother - baby bonding.

Breast-feeding is supported by the Florida Department of Health as well as major health organizations such as WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. infant mortality rates are reduced by 21 percent in breast-fed infants. Breast-feeding provides disease-fighting antibodies for baby, and reduces the chance of some cancers for mom.

"At Naval Hospital Jacksonville, we see Baby Friendly recognition as another step we take to help ensure the best outcomes for our patients," said Capt. John Le Favour, NH Jacksonville commanding officer. "Our journey to Baby Friendly certification was about ten years, from dream to reality - and we owe thanks to our highly dedicated lactation nurses, pediatricians and staff across our hospital."

NH Jacksonville is committed to preparing families for a healthy start by offering free classes that range from breast-feeding to infant massage, lactation nurses on-staff, labor pain management options including nitrous oxide, and skin-to-skin care right after delivery (including cesarean sections).

Last year, 83 percent of the hospital's new moms breast-fed, and 77 percent exclusively breast-fed while in the hospital. And for moms with an appointment at the hospital, Milky Way rooms are available to pump breast milk for baby.

To register for free classes at NH Jacksonville or talk to an obstetrics nurse, call 904-542-BABY (2229). To learn more about the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, visit www.babyfriendlyusa.org.

NH Jacksonville's priority since its founding in 1941 is to heal the nation's heroes and their families. The command is comprised of the Navy's third largest hospital and five branch health clinics across Florida and Georgia. There are more than 71,000 active and retired Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Guardsmen and their families enrolled with a primary care manager and Medical Home Port team at one of its facilities.

To find out more or download NH Jacksonville's mobile app, visit the command website at www.med.navy.mil/sites/navalhospitaljax.

For more news from Naval Hospital Jacksonville, visit www.navy.mil/.