Minnesota Breastfeeding Friendly Maternity Center Designation
Application Instructions
The Minnesota Breastfeeding Friendly Maternity Center (MN BFMC) Designation Program
aims to recognize maternity centers in Minnesota that have taken any steps towards
achieving Baby-Friendly status. The journey to accomplishing all "Ten Steps to Successful
Breastfeeding," as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Baby-Friendly USA,
is a unique and incremental process for each maternity center. The Minnesota Department
of Health developed a five-star award system that celebrates each milestone along the way.
For every two Baby-Friendly steps achieved, maternity centers receive one star. The
applications for the five-star award system were designed to closely match the BabyFriendly steps. However, facilities that are also interested in pursuing designation from
Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. should refer to their specific guidelines and criteria here. The
applications are subject to change based on updates to the Baby-Friendly guidelines.
1 Star for
2 steps
2 Stars for
4 steps
3 Stars for
6 steps
4 Stars for
8 steps
5 Stars for
10 steps
Application Submission:
• To apply for star designation, facilities must complete the Application Cover Sheet
form and the individual Step Application forms for each step they have completed.
• Project teams are strongly encouraged to work together to complete this application.
• Complete all application forms electronically using Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader
10.0 or later (free download available at https://get.adobe.com/reader/).
• Save the application PDF forms to your computer and submit them by email as
attachments to [email protected], along with all supporting documentation.
• For more information or to download application forms, visit the MDH web page at
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/oshii/bf/maternityctr.html.
Note to Baby-Friendly facilities:
• Facilities with an active Baby-Friendly designation (from Baby-Friendly USA, Inc.) will
automatically earn a 5-Star designation for completing all ten steps.
• They also receive the Minnesota Mother-Baby Ten STEPS Award (Striving Towards
Excellence in Perinatal Services), a distinguished honor for facilities that have achieved
both the MN BFMC 5-Star AND Baby-Friendly designations.
• Submit the 1-page Expedited Application form as an email attachment to
[email protected], with a copy of the Baby-Friendly designation award letter.
Application Review:
• Applications are accepted at any time, but are reviewed on a semi-annual basis.
• The submission deadlines are May 31 for review in June and October 31 for review in
November.
• All required application questions must be completed to be considered for review.
• The designation committee reserves the right to request additional documentation.
• Facilities will be notified by email of receipt of the application within ten days of
submission.
Designation & Recognition:
Facilities that are awarded stars will be recognized on the Minnesota Department of
Health website and will receive the following promotional materials:
• Certificate with star designation (suitable for framing)
• Set of Supporting Healthy Families/Working Women posters (see below)
• Breastfeeding Friendly window clings
Additionally, Baby Friendly designated facilities will receive a Recognized as breastfeeding
friendly banner (see below) and the Minnesota Mother-Baby Ten STEPS award certificate.
Re-Designation & Renewal:
• Star designation is valid for up to three years (or until expiration of Baby-Friendly
designation). After that time, facilities will be required to re-submit the full application
to renew their status in the MN BFMC Designation Program.
• Re-submission for additional star designation is strongly encouraged at any time.
Facilities only need to submit a new Cover Sheet form and the individual Step
Application forms for any newly achieved steps.
Questions?
For questions and general inquiries about the program, contact Linda Dech, MPH, IBCLC
at [email protected] or 651-201-3649.
• Please, do not send questions to [email protected]. This mailbox is not
monitored and should only be used to submit applications for star designation.
The Minnesota Department of Health would like to thank the North
Carolina Department of Public Health's Nutrition Services Branch for
generously allowing Minnesota to adopt this program. The technical
assistance provided has been invaluable and is much appreciated.