Thousands of Infants and Mothers Set to Benefit from New Program at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center

Online, June 9, 2010 (Newswire.com) - If successful, new program will become one of only a handful of Los Angeles County hospitals to provide new mothers the necessary skills to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding.
The initiative is funded by First 5 LA's Best Start LA Baby-Friendly Hospital Project, which has awarded the hospital $473,000 to institute a strict ten-step program that will benefit more than 5,500 mothers annually who give birth at the hospital, located in the heart of one of Hollywood's most culturally diverse communities.
While breast milk contains antibodies that can protect infants from bacterial and viral infections--among other health benefits for infants and mothers--rates for breastfeeding are exceptionally low in Los Angels county where only 24.1 percent of mothers exclusively breastfeed at hospital discharge, compared to 42.7 percent statewide.
"Currently only 86 hospitals in the United States are designated Baby Friendly and there are only 16,000 worldwide," according to Deborah Ettinger who is the Senior VP of Business Development at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center.
"This grant will enable us to shape the way we operate fundamentally, to become a prestigious Baby Friendly Hospital and be able to offer thousands of women who deliver their babies here the encouragement, support, and crucial education about the health benefits of breastfeeding," stresses Ettinger.
Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center will also receive operational support to institute the program that is set to launch May 2010 with the training of its maternity nurses. To earn the coveted Baby Friendly Hospital designation at the end of the three-years, Hollywood Presbyterian must show adoption of distinct practices that support successful breastfeeding.
The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding.

CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is a 434-bed acute-care facility that has been caring for the Hollywood and Los Angeles communities since 1923. The hospital is committed to serving its local multicultural communities with expert medical and nursing care. With over 500 physicians representing virtually every specialty, CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is distinguishing itself as a leading healthcare provider, recognized for providing quality, innovative care in a compassionate manner. CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is owned and operated by CHA Health Systems, which also owns and operates five acute care hospitals, two specialty clinics, a medical university, a cell and gene therapy research institute in South Korea, as well as two fertility centers, one in Los Angeles, and one in South Korea.
First 5 LA is a child-advocacy and grant-making organization created by California voters to invest tobacco tax revenues in programs for improving the lives of children in Los Angeles County, from prenatal through age 5. First 5 LA champions health, education and safety causes concerning young children and families.
Media Contact: Deborah Ettinger Phone (323) 913-4583 or (323) 913-4914 e-mail: [email protected]