BAMC, a Texas Ten Step Program Facility

By U.S. ArmyJune 18, 2014

Brooke Army Medical Center has earned re-designation as a Texas Ten Step Program facility from the Texas Department of State Health Services. BAMC is the only Department of Defense facility to receive the recognition.

The Texas Ten Step Program encourages breastfeeding as the preferred method of feeding for newborns and infants.

San Antonio Military Medical Center joins a growing number of Texas birth facilities that are supporting new mothers and their decision to breastfeed to improve the health of newborns and infants.

"We are very proud to announce that SAMMC received re-designation as a Texas Ten Steps facility," said Army Lt. Col. Thornton Mu, BAMC pediatric neonatologist. "We'd like to acknowledge our outstanding lactation consultant team for their efforts along with all the hard-working nurses, techs, and providers who work daily to encourage, emphasize, educate, and promote the many benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and their newborns."

Based on the World Health Organization/ UNICEF's Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, the program aims to assist birth facility's support of breastfeeding mothers before, during, and after delivery; encourages them to identify breastfeeding resources for the mother after she is discharged; and assists facilities in improving on national performance measures such as the Centers for Disease Control's Breastfeeding Report Card. The goal of the Texas Ten Step Program is to have 82 percent of infants exclusively breastfeeding when discharged.

Texas Ten Step facilities are asked to address 85% of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, be designated as a Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite, evaluate their breastfeeding policies, maternity care practices and educate all healthcare staff routinely with evidence-based courses.

"We have worked very hard to earn the Texas Ten Step Program designation," said Mu. "And we are proud to join the other select Texas hospitals in promoting breastfeeding to our new mothers."

For more information on the Texas Ten Step Program, visit the web site at www.texastenstep.org