[Seguin, Texas (March 18, 2025)] – Guadalupe Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is honored to announce our re-designation as a Texas Ten Step (TTS) Hospital Partner. This designation is provided by Texas Health and Human Services that recognizes birthing facilities that implement policies and practices that follow the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. This re-designation is an important milestone in our commitment to continuing to improve maternity care and optimal breastfeeding support for new moms and their babies.

As part of the Texas Ten Step program, Guadalupe Regional Medical Center aligns with the World Health Organization and UNICEF’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, an initiative that supports moms and their babies with breastfeeding initiation, breastfeeding exclusivity for a minimum of six months, and the continuation of breastfeeding for a year and beyond.

As a designated partner, GRMC has improved overall patient breastfeeding rates by implementing evidence-based health care practices, including facilitating early skin-to-skin, babies rooming-in with their mother, training staff on breastfeeding management, lactation support, and more. All practices are designed to set new moms and their babies up for successful breastfeeding, improved infant health and increased overall patient satisfaction. Studies show that when mothers experience Ten Step practices in the birthing facility, they are more likely to reach their goals of exclusive breastfeeding.

“Breastfeeding is a journey, and no mother should have to navigate it alone, says GRMC’s International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Analia Cano. “At GRMC, we take a team-based approach to ensure every mom receives the education, support, and encouragement she needs to feel empowered in feeding her baby. This re-designation reflects our deep commitment to both mom and baby’s well-being.”

In Texas, 86 percent of new moms choose to breastfeed in the hospital, but only 24 percent continue to exclusively breastfeed until their baby is six months of age. The TTS program works with birthing facilities to develop environments where policies and practices support mothers’ informed infant feeding decisions. Improving maternity practices is also particularly important for families who are most vulnerable to poor health outcomes.

While health disparities have an impact on racial and ethnic groups and those living in low-income and rural communities, breastfeeding can serve as an equalizer to ensure every baby gets a healthy start. Research indicates that when the Ten Steps are followed, racial disparities in breastfeeding initiation are reduced.

Breastfeeding provides health benefits for baby, such as reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), ear infections, stomach-related infections, asthma and childhood obesity. In addition to health impacts, breastfeeding a baby for one year could save a family between $900 and $2,000 in annual health care and formula expenses.

“Expectant mothers look to the Birthing Center at GRMC to help them grow their families and care for their new babies,” says Lauren Riggs, BSN, RNC-OB, Director of Women’s Services. “It is up to our team to provide maternity care that supports, protects and promotes breastfeeding to our newest Texans — and puts them at the forefront of our care.”

For more information on the Texas Ten Step program, visit texastenstep.org.