Cape Cod Hospital is Baby-Friendly again

Cape Cod Hospital is Baby-Friendly again

"We want to shout it because we're so excited about it!'

Lactation consultant Heather Lakatos, RN, IBCLC was speaking for all at The Family Birthplace at Cape Cod Hospital about the recent news that they had achieved redesignation as a Baby-Friendly Hospital.

"It's not just an award, it's a recognition that our team follows evidence-based practices and that basically we're giving every baby, every family, the strongest possible start," she said.

Redesignation is "a major undertaking" for a maternity department, Lakatos said, because the certification body, Baby-Friendly, USA, has strict standards and guidelines hospitals must adhere to in order to be designated as a Baby-Friendly hospital.

Not only did The Family Birthplace (TFB) at Cape Cod Hospital earn redesignation, they achieved it a year ahead of time. TFB was first designated in 2022, and redesignation typically occurs five years after the original designation.

The redesignation was earned without the need for a major project to prove their compliance to the guidelines. They are among just 20 percent of all Baby-Friendly hospitals in the U.S. who did not have to undergo a project of corrective action prior to redesignation.

"I am incredibly proud of the commitment our staff demonstrates every day to provide evidence-based, family-centered care that gives every baby the healthiest possible start in life," said Kerry Thompson nursing manager, Women's & Children's Services. "Achieving Baby-Friendly redesignation is an incredible accomplishment and truly reflects the dedication, compassion and professionalism of our entire maternity team."

In addition to Thompson, The Family Birthplace team is led by OB/GYN chief Michael Neel, MD.

A WHO and UNICEF Initiative

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched in 1991 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nation's Children's Fund (UNICEF) as a way to encourage global implementation of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. The Ten Steps outline a set of evidence-based practices for optimal infant feeding and support in the initial days of life.

Baby-Friendly facilities are centers in which evidence-based care is provided, education is free of commercial interest, all feeding options are possible and individual preferences are respected, Lakatos said.

TFB at Cape Cod Hospital is one of about 600 maternity facilities nationwide that are designated as Baby-Friendly hospitals.

Education is Key

The "biggest piece" of the Baby-Friendly designation, according to Lakatos, is the education families receive on the best practices for starting their newborn in the healthiest way. This begins at a woman's first prenatal visit at the two Cape Cod Healthcare community OB/GYN practices, either at Cape Cod Hospital OB/GYN in Hyannis or at Cape Obstetrics & Gynecology in Falmouth. At the visit, the mother-to-be receives a handout created by TFB team members outlining what to expect when they deliver their baby at Cape Cod Hospital. A specially-created video featuring many of the providers, nurses and other members of TBF team is also shown.

A Breastfeeding Task Force comprised of team members from TBF, as well as representatives of the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod and the local federal Women's Infants and Children (WIC) office also meets monthly. As part of the BFHI designation, a WIC representative also comes into TBF on Mondays and Thursdays to determine which families qualify for WIC resources after discharge from the hospital.

High Breastfeeding Rate

The 2026 BFHI reviewers were particularly complimentary of the rate of moms and babies who were exclusively breastfeeding upon discharge from TBF at Cape Cod Hospital, said Lakatos. Seventy-three percent of the roughly 850 infants born each year at CCH left the hospital in 2025 having never had any other nutrition than breast milk. Ninety-three percent left the hospital having had at least some breast milk as their diet (The rest was infant formula. In accordance with AAP guidelines, solid food is not recommended for babies under 6 months.).

"We know through science that exclusive breastfeeding is what will yield the best outcomes," she said. "Breastfeeding will reduce the risk of many different conditions, and depending on how long you go, that benefit increases."

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastmilk as the optimal nutrition for infants and babies. The organization describes it as the "normative" standard. Early skin-to-skin contact is also highly recommended, and it is also part of TFB at Cape Cod Hospital practice.

The AAP reports that if moms breastfeed through at least the first six months of age, it decreases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by 60 percent. It will also decrease the risk of breast and ovarian cancer for the mother by about 30 percent, the AAP reports.

In addition, it is now known that the immunological benefits to the baby continue long past the first year, which was previously thought, Lakatos said. So, the recommendation is to continue breastfeeding two years or longer, if mutually agreed upon, she said.

For mothers at TFB who choose not to breastfeed or to supplement with infant formula, TFB team members works to support them, said Lakatos. They are given the option of infant formulas.

"Regardless of what the family's plan is to feed their baby, they receive the same high standards of care and education; all the compassionate care we can give," Lakatos said.

Baby-Friendly Review

When Baby-Friendly certifiers come on-site to redesignate a facility, they interview all staff members, including providers and nurses, as well as patients. Patient interviews are done without a staff member in the room and mothers are asked to confirm they have been introduced to the Baby-Friendly-required initiatives and are being supported in those tasks, Lakatos said. Patient validation to the Baby-Friendly reviewers was what determined the facility would not need any corrective plan in order to be redesignated, she said.

Support After Discharge

Lakatos cited the commitment and support of the hospital administration as the reason TFB has been so successful with its Baby-Friendly efforts. She said because TFB at Cape Cod Hospital is so committed to healthy outcomes for babies and moms, much support is offered after they have gone home. "We have a very comprehensive lactation support program here," she said.

In 2025, the team interacted with more than 2,000 outpatients. This was 500 more outpatients than in 2024 and related to adding a clinic location at Falmouth Hospital on Mondays. The two lactation consultants cover a 'warm' line, to which families with breastfeeding questions can call and leave a message. The line is covered seven days a week. In addition, the lactation consultants have outpatient visits with moms for one-on-one consultations.

Lactation support groups also meet on Tuesdays at TFB in Hyannis and at Falmouth Hospital on Mondays.

Lakatos described the after-discharge consults and support groups as important parts of ensuring babies get the healthiest start in life. Part of that support is helping moms develop plans for breastfeeding after they return to work.