LEWISTON — Baby-Friendly USA Inc., announces that Central Maine Medical Center has been re-designated as a Baby-Friendly birth facility. 

CMMC joins six Baby-Friendly hospitals in Maine, including Bridgton Hospital, a Central Maine Healthcare hospital.

Baby-Friendly USA Inc. is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund. The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. 

CMMC has a “Breastfeeding Matters” program that offers the services of lactation consultants — certified health professionals who specialize in educating and supporting breastfeeding mothers — to inpatients and outpatients.

CMMC also provides:

• Prenatal education about breastfeeding;

• Weekly breastfeeding support group;

• Lactation consultant support phone line: 207-795-2528;

• Newborn office visits at Central Maine Pediatrics; and

• Pump rental and sales.

As part of CMMC’s Baby-Friendly practices, the hospital features 24-hour rooming in, where the baby stays in the mother’s room during the full hospital stay. CMMC also promotes mother and infant bonding by encouraging skin-to-skin contact.