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INFLUENCING PATIENT BEHAVIOR ENACT STRATEGY: Baby-Friendly Hospitals There is well documented scientific evidence that breastmilk is the optimal food for infants and gives them the best start for a healthy immune system. Breastfed children have a decreased risk of acute infectious diseases such as diarrhea, respiratory and ear infections, and they are less likely to be overweight or obese during childhood or adolescence. Mothers who breastfeed also receive the health benefits of reduced risks of breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Hospitals and birthing centers have a unique role in supporting breastfeeding immediately after birth, which is a critical time for establishing a successful breastfeeding relationship. Hospitals that have implemented comprehensive policies and practices that support exclusive breastfeeding, and offer an optimal level of care for lactation may become a certified Baby-Friendly Hospital. Research has shown that mothers who gave birth in a Baby-Friendly Hospital had increased rates of initiating breastfeeding and exclusively breast fed their babies for a longer time. A baby- friendly hospital:
From:10 steps to becoming a Baby-Friendly Hospital by Unicef's Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Reducing Obesity from the Start: California Hospitals Must Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates This UC Davis Human Lactation Center and California WIC Association report examines the link between hospital policies and practices and exclusive breastfeeding rates. The report ranks counties by in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding rates, and found that the highest-scoring hospitals have implemented comprehensive policies to support exclusive breastfeeding. The report also provides California hospital breastfeeding rates by county, which display the same rates by individual hospitals, and compare hospitals within counties. Baby-Friendly Hospitals and Birth Centers Worldwide there are more than 19,000 maternity facilities which have received the Baby-Friendly designation. In the United States there currently are 61 Baby-Friendly Hospitals and Birth Centers. Boston Medical Center Breastfeeding Center After implementing the 10 steps to become a Baby-Friendly Hospital, Boston Medical Center's breastfeeding initiation rate increased from 58 percent to 87 percent over four years. The national average is 68 percent. The most dramatic increase was found in African-American mothers, where the breastfeeding rate went from 34 percent to 74 percent. The national average for this group is 45 percent. * *More information can be found in the research article abstract: Philipp, B., et al. “Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Improves Breastfeeding Initiation Rates in a US Hospital Setting”. Pediatrics. 2001 Sep; 108(3):677-81. Providing Breastfeeding Support: Model Hospital Policy Recommendations The Inland Empire Breastfeeding Coalition reviewed breastfeeding policies based on scientific data and created this document to support hospital systems in their efforts to support breastfeeding. Model Breastfeeding Policy for Healthcare Institutions The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine developed clinical protocols for managing common medical problems that may impact breastfeeding success. This protocol highlights model breastfeeding policies for Healthcare Institutions. Breastfeeding-Friendly Physicians Office The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine also developed a clinical protocol for model breastfeeding policies for Physicians Offices. Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global program sponsored by the World Health Organizations and UNICEF to encourage hospital and birth centers to offer an optimal level of care for lactation. BFHI USA implements the initiative in the United States. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is a worldwide organization of physicians dedicated to the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding and human lactation. Breastfeeding Rates in US Baby-Friendly Hospitals The authors of this study analyzed all available breastfeeding data from US Baby-Friendly hospitals in 2001 and found that Baby-Friendly designated hospitals in the United States have elevated rates of breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity. Elevated rates persist regardless of demographic factors that are traditionally linked with low breastfeeding rates.
An experimental intervention modeled on the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative increased the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding and decreased the risk of gastrointestinal tract infection and atopic eczema in the first year of life.
Evidence Based Breast-Feeding Promotion: The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Research conducted in Latin America has shown that Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is highly cost-effective. Breastfeeding trends over the past two decades strongly suggest that BFHI has had a global impact on breastfeeding outcomes.
** We can only provide links to the article abstracts and not the full text. |
Promote Breastfeeding at Your Health Care Facility