Valley View, an independent, not-for-profit health system based in Glenwood Springs, is pleased to announce that it was awarded the “Colorado Celebrate 6 Award of Breastfeeding Excellence.” This award is offered by the Colorado Baby-Friendly Hospital Collaborative at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to recognize birthing facilities that have implemented evidence-based policies and practices known to increase breastfeeding success and improve maternal and infant health outcomes. 

This Celebrate 6 Award of Breastfeeding Excellence award is presented to hospitals for their efforts to promote breastfeeding and offer healthier food and beverage options through the Colorado Healthy Hospital Compact and Colorado Baby-Friendly Hospital Collaborative. These initiatives are part of the state’s work to promote healthy eating and active living to reduce the rates of death and disease from chronic illness among Coloradans. 

To qualify for the award, the hospital must have implemented at least six of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. These are evidence-based policies and practices known to increase breastfeeding success and improve maternal and infant health outcomes. 

“It is a great honor to receive the Celebrate 6 Award of Breastfeeding Excellence Award and to be recognized for our efforts to uphold the highest standards of infant feeding care,” said Ellen H. Brooks, MD, FAAP, medical director of pediatrics at Valley View. “Supporting new mothers has been a hallmark of Valley View for many years. Implementing all 10 of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative’s ‘Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding’ into our practice has helped us be best equipped to provide the best resources and information to ensure new mothers and their babies get the healthiest start in life.” 

CDPHE held an event on June 14, where Valley View was honored as one of the 14 Baby-Friendly designated facilities in the state of Colorado for receiving and maintaining the prestigious certification from Baby-Friendly USA. The department supports maternity facilities in pursuing Baby-Friendly designation through the Colorado Baby-Friendly Hospital Collaborative which provides free training and resources to help hospitals implement evidence-based policies and practices that support breastfeeding and optimal infant care.

Re-designated through 2026, Valley View has held the important Baby-Friendly designation since 2016.

“These hospitals have worked hard to create change that supports Colorado families to breastfeed. With over 90 percent of Colorado families choosing to breastfeed their children each year, such policies and practices are essential,” said Stacy Miller, breastfeeding specialist at CDPHE and facilitator of the Colorado Baby-Friendly Hospital Collaborative. 

Learn more about the Colorado Baby-Friendly Hospital Collaborative (CBFHC) at BreastfeedColorado.com or view a complete list of awarded hospitals here. 

Expecting mothers can learn more about childbirth services at Valley View including recent recognitions and awards by visiting vvh.org/FamilyBirthplace.