Highland Community Hospital Achieves Re-Designation as a Baby-Friendly Hospital

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (Jan. 9, 2026) Highland Community Hospital is proud to announce it has achieved the highly prestigious international Baby-Friendly re-designation after a rigorous review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for bestowing this certification in the United States.

This distinguished honor demonstrates that Highland Community Hospital is adhering to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. These standards are built on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a set of evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for optimal infant feeding support in the precious first days of a newborn’s life.

“We are extremely proud to be recognized for the hard work of our team members throughout the Baby-Friendly process,” said Melissa Gaspar, director of OB Services. “Highland is committed to providing the support, education, and resources moms need to successfully initiate breastfeeding and continue breastfeeding when they leave our care.”

Forrest Health promotes the many positive benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother and infant, whether helping support an infant’s immune system, reducing the risk of chronic conditions such as childhood obesity or Type 2 diabetes, or to enhance their cognitive development. For a mother, benefits include emotional bonding, and ongoing health advantages including a lower risk of chronic diseases as they age, a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers, diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as the convenience and cost-effectiveness.

Highland joins a growing list of more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world, 465 of which are in the United States. These facilities provide an environment that supports breastfeeding while respecting every woman’s right to make the best decision for herself and her family.

Highland offers both lactation counselors and consultants to work with any breastfeeding mothers regarding problems they may be having while in the hospital or after they go home.

For more information, visit Forresthealth.org.

ABOUT FORREST HEALTH

Forrest Health is a system of healthcare organizations formed to increase access to quality health care in south Mississippi. Forrest General Hospital is its flagship hospital. In addition to Forrest General, Forrest Health hospitals include: Highland Community Hospital, Picayune; Jefferson Davis Community Hospital & Extended Care Facility, Prentiss; Marion General Hospital, Columbia; Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home, Poplarville; Perry County General Hospital, Richton; and Walthall General Hospital, Tylertown. Forrest Health is also home to The Orthopedic Institute and Institute of Neuroscience, both in Hattiesburg, as well as a variety of healthcare clinics throughout its 19-county coverage area.