10 steps for successful breast-feeding programs
October 1, 1997 less than 1 minute read
10 steps for successful breast-feeding programs
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) [formerly the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund] to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for lactation.
The initiative promotes, protects, and supports breast-feeding through 10 steps to successful breast-feeding for hospitals. They include:
1. Have a written breast-feeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.
3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breast-feeding.
4. Help mothers initiate breast-feeding within an hour of birth.
5. Show mothers how to breast-feed and how to maintain lactation, even if they should be separated from their infants.
6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
7. Practice "rooming in" by allowing mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.
8. Encourage breast-feeding on demand.
9. Give no artificial treats, pacifiers, dummies, or soothers to breast-feeding infants.
10. Foster the establishment of breast-feeding support groups, and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or birthing centers.
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