Our multidisciplinary NICU Lactation Support Committee includes NICU nurses, lactation consultants and counselors, occupational therapists, and neonatologists. We actively promote own mothers’ milk feeding and breastfeeding through several activities. Staff members voluntarily pursued special training in order to better help and support breastfeeding mothers in the NICU. Breastfeeding-related research studies are on-going in which patients may be able to participate.
UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital has been awarded the Baby-Friendly designation by Baby-Friendly USA, a global initiative of the World Health Organization and UNICEF that recognizes birthing facilities that implement specific breastfeeding procedures. The hospital is the only academic health facility in the state of Florida, the seventh hospital in the state of Florida and the only one in North Central Florida to successfully implement all the required standards for this designation, which will facilitate education and encourage the development of skills that result in successful breastfeeding. Support is provided while mothers are still in the hospital and available after discharge. For more information, please visit the UF Center for Breastfeeding and Newborns website.