A Multidisciplinary Approach to Promoting a Baby Friendly Environment at an Urban University Medical Center

Implementing Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative policy: the case of New Zealand public hospitals

“…In this sense, the study provides empirical support for prior discussions about the processes of BFHI-driven transformation [18,19,21]. …”

“…These include commentaries on the managerial process of changing staff practices to implement the Ten Steps [18], and on the requirement for multi-disciplinary approaches that involve the various health professionals and service providers who come into contact with new mothers and their babies [19]. A Turkish study found that in none of five hospitals analysed were all Ten Steps implemented [20]; that staff were often too busy or under-resourced.…”

Baby Friendly Hospital Practices: Cesarean Section is a Persistent Barrier to Early Initiation of Breastfeeding

“…Enactment of these practices is achieved through a hospital culture of solid support for the common goal of achieving Baby-Friendly practices (35), including strong leadership, effective interdepartmental communication and action, and participation of all staff members in the effort. Repeated education of medical staff and modeling the promotion of early initiation of breastfeeding are essential (36).…”

“…Awareness and implementation of practices recommended by the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative have led to marked changes in hospital protocols related to breastfeeding in many settings worldwide. Although few published systematic evaluations of the initiative have been conducted, a small number of studies and anecdotal reports of changes allied with it (36) have reported inconsistent impacts on rates of breastfeeding. A recent systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to promote the initiation of breastfeeding included only two studies relating to Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative interventions (7).…”

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative in US Hospitals

“…18 Since successful breastfeeding touches almost every policy and procedure in perinatal services as well as the physicians, laboratory personnel, pharmacy, and support staff such as housekeeping, a multidisciplinary leadership team is necessary. 19,20 The place to start is to establish a hospital Baby-Friendly Committee with all of the stakeholders present to direct the process and write or update policy and procedures as necessary. Since both medical and nursing departments are key in implementing practice changes, involving both nurse and physician leadership has proven to be an effective way to manage the cultural shifts necessary.…”