As El Paso's only designated Baby-Friendly® hospital, UMC received the status in July 2015. Out of over 5,600 hospitals in the United States, there are only 500 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers. The “Baby-Friendly” designation is given after a rigorous on-site inspection. UMC's Maternity Services meets Baby-Friendly® requirements.  

Baby Friendly USA is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (“BFHI”), a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The Initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this prestigious international award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.