Norwich — The William W. Backus Hospital has been named a Baby-Friendly Birthing Center by Baby-Friendly USA Inc., a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, the award recognizes birthing facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

“This is a prestigious award recognizing our birthing center staff’s commitment to providing the highest level of care for breast feeding mothers and their babies and is a testament to our team’s talent, dedication and compassion,” said Donna Handley, president of Hartford HealthCare’s east region, which includes Backus and Windham hospitals.

The “Baby-Friendly” designation is given following an on-site survey.