Essentia Health-Fargo remains Baby-Friendly

Essentia Health-Fargo has been redesignated as a Baby-Friendly® hospital by Baby-Friendly USA (BFUSA). Essentia Health-Fargo first received this designation in 2018 and is the only Baby-Friendly® designated hospital in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and one of two in the entire state of North Dakota. This redesignation will go through 2028.

Being a Baby-Friendly® hospital demonstrates Essentia Health-Fargo's commitment to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Baby-Friendly® hospitals go through a rigorous process that includes an application, on-site review and patient audits to ensure they provide the best patient-focused care.

"We are extremely proud to be recognized for the hard work of our team throughout the Baby-Friendly process," said Melissa Christoffersen, a registered nurse and the program manager for women's and children's at Essentia Health-Fargo. "This designation is a tribute to our commitment to ensuring that every woman who delivers a baby at our hospital is given the resources, information and support needed to help her baby get the best, healthiest start in life."

BFUSA is the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative in the United States. This initiative is a global program that encourages the broad-scale implementation of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.

"The positive health effects of breastfeeding are well-documented and widely recognized by health authorities throughout the world," explained Christoffersen. "Breast milk is the most nutritious food for a baby and is perfectly matched to help protect them from illnesses and diseases. The benefits of breastfeeding last a lifetime for both mothers and children."

Other Essentia Health hospitals that hold this prestigious designation include Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd and Essentia Health-Virigina.

Passionate, family-centered care

State-of-the-art technology and large private suites await you and your baby throughout your labor, delivery and postpartum experience at Essentia Health-Fargo. Each 420-square-foot suite includes a fireplace, music, dimmable lighting, aromatherapy, mini fridge, a whirlpool tub and more. Birth partners also have a couch that converts to a sleeper sofa for a more comfortable stay. 

Patients remain in the suite after they have delivered their baby, which is part of Essentia's labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum (LDRP) model of care. However, if your baby needs special attention after birth, our highly trained, compassionate team at Essentia Health-Fargo is here for you.

That includes our neonatal intensive care unit, which is staffed 24/7 by board-certified neonatologists, nurse practitioners and nurses who are trained to care for our tiniest and most vulnerable patients.

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