The Gift is a
breastfeeding initiative & certification program
for Louisiana birthing facilities that is based on the best practice model for infant feeding and mother-baby bonding.

Benefits

By becoming Gift Certified, Louisiana birthing facilities can improve their mPINC score (CDC National Survey of Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care), create an optimal environment for breastfeeding and increase breastfeeding rates.

News

Woman’s Hospital earns Gift Certification!

Woman's Hospital of Baton Rouge recently earned Gift Certification.  They are the 23rd birthing facility in Louisiana to become Gift Certified and the 3rd in their region.  Woman's will soon be starting a Donor Human Milk Program.  The program’s initial goal is to provide human milk for all infants who weigh less than approximately two pounds for the first month of life. Read more about Woman's Donor Human Milk Program here.

Free 6 Contact Hour (CEU) Breastfeeding Training!

“Best Practices for Infant Feeding and Mother-Baby Bonding: Working Together to Improve Outcomes” 

Presented by: Susie Amick, RN, IBCLC, RLC, LCCE (Lactation Consultant, Perinatal Educator; East Jefferson General Hospital; Metairie, Louisiana

Visit the Training page for a list of upcoming training dates and locations.

Ochsner Medical Center- Baton Rouge Earns Gift Certification

Ochsner Medical Center-Baton Rouge is the 22nd birthing facility in LA and the 2nd in their region to earn Gift Certification.  Congratulations!

St. Tammany Parish Hospital improves its exclusive breastfeeding rates

Gift Certified hospital, St. Tammany Parish Hospital, has been working hard to improve their breastfeeding rates and recently reported achieving exclusive breastfeeding rates of 60% (Jan), 78% (Feb), and 91% (March). Great job St. Tammany Parish Hospital! 

Helpful information on addressing The Joint Commission's Perinatal Care Core Measure on Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding can be found in the USBC's toolkit, Implementing The Joint Commission Perinatal Care Core Measure on Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding.

Congratulations to these Gift Certified hospitals for their recent acheivements!

Congratulations to Women and Children's Hospital of Lake Charles, LA on their recent Gift Certification. Women and Children's Hospital is the 19th hospital in LA and the first hospital in their region to earn Gift Certification. 

Congratulations to East Jefferson General Hospital on receiving the second annual "The Gift Above and Beyond Award" for their dedication to breastfeeding and quality improvement.

Trainings

There are current no upcoming trainings.