Presentation on theme: "The Ten Steps of the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly™ Hospital Initiative"— Presentation transcript:
1 The Ten Steps of the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly™ Hospital Initiative Launched in 1991, by UNICEF and the World Health Organization To ensure that all hospitals, maternity facilities and communities become Centers of Breastfeeding SupportA father watches as his wife breastfeeds their new baby in the maternity ward of the Singburi Hospital, Thailand Fathers are encouraged to learn about the benefits and become active supporters of breastfeeding. Thailand is one of 12 developing countries to take the lead in instituting the "ten steps" of baby-friendly practice in as many hospitals as possible.
2 The Baby Friendly - 10 Steps Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one half-hour of birth. Show mothers how to breastfeed and maintain lactation, even if they should be separated from their infants. Ten steps to successful breastfeeding
3 The Baby Friendly - 10 Steps Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breastmilk, unless medically indicated. Practice rooming in - that is, allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day. Encourage breastfeeding on demand. Give no artificial nipples or pacifiers (soothers) to breastfeeding infants. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.Ten steps to successful breastfeeding
4 BFHI 10-Steps based on Research If every baby were exclusively breastfed from Birth for 6 months, an estimated 1.5 million lives world-wide would be saved each year.Babies and Mother’s lives would be enhanced with implementing the 10-Steps because:
5 Why Breastfeed?BFHI 10-Steps based on ResearchImmediate postpartum breastfeeding helps Mother/Child bondingBreastmilk Alone is the perfect food for Baby’s first 6-monthsNutrients, antibodies, Hormones, Antioxidants, other factorsStimulates immune system – response to diseases & vaccinationProtects from diarrhea and acute respiratory infectionsHealth and emotional benefits for MotherSense of empowerment and satisfactionDecreased blood loss postpartumDelayed return to fertilityDecreased risk of breast and ovarian cancerProvides social/economic benefits to the FamilyEnvironment Benefitsan abbreviated list
6 Hospital, Maternity Units, Birthing Centers WHY The BFHI Initiative?Hospital, Maternity Units, Birthing CentersSet a Powerful Example for New Mothers (and Fathers)Can provide a “Good Start” to Breastfeeding basicsFirst Influence of the benefits of BreastfeedingCan instill Confidence and Empowerment to Mothers (and Fathers) to continue Breastfeeding
7 Facilitate breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth Promoting BFHIHow Facilities can Support Exclusive BreastfeedingIn L&D provide information on how medical intervention and labour interventions can affect newborns ability to breastfeedFacilitate breastfeeding as soon as possible after birthProvide continuous skin-to-skin contactfor at least the first 2 hours after birth oruntil after the first breastfeedingbefore routine tests – weighing & measuringallow some medical tests to be performed while on the breastConfirm that parents know to respond to early feeding readiness cuesHelp mother choose a comfortable position
8 Facilitate unrestricted breastfeeding 8-12 times per 24 hours Promoting BFHIHow Facilities can Support Exclusive BreastfeedingCorrect positioning (infant)Signs of correct latch-on (infant)Signs (in Mother and Infant) of milk transferObserve:Facilitate unrestricted breastfeeding 8-12 times per 24 hoursEnsure breastfeeding “culture” is sustainedRefuse to accept, market, distribute or promote breastmilk substitutes, bottles and artificial nipplesEmpower (educate) women to breastfeed their children exclusively for six months and to continue breastfeeding with complementary food, well into the second year and beyondSome of the 24 Recommendations of the International Lactation Consultant Assn document “Evidence-based guidelines for breastfeeding management during the first fourteen days.”
9 Baby-Friendly™ designation is an International Standard Baby-Friendly™ DefinedBaby-Friendly™ designation is an International StandardBaby-Friendly™ maternity services have passed external assessment according to the Global BFHI Criteria.Is not appropriately applied to other medical services, community activities, workplaces or commercial products.'breastfeeding-friendly', 'mother-child friendly' or 'pro-breastfeeding' may be used for any other complementary efforts to help mothers to breastfeed.
10 Breastfeeding Committee for Canada (BCC) WHO/UNICEF BFHI™ in CanadaBreastfeeding Committee for Canada (BCC)is the National Authority for implementing the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly™ Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in Canada
11 Decision: Doesn’t Meet or Meets WHO/UNICEF BFHI™ in CanadaHow a Hospital, Maternity Facility, Birthing Center Becomes WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly™:Self-Appraisal process Form multidisciplinary committeeComplete BFHI Self-Appraisal ToolDecision: Doesn’t Meet or Meets Recognizes need to improve Plan strategies to address weakness areasMay contact Provincial/Territorial Committee for adviceBFHI Pre-AssessmentP/T Committee Reviews (the Approved) Tool and breastfeeding handouts Recognizes need to improve Plan actions to improve weak areasWhen standards met , submit request to P/T CommitteeExternal Assessment Using BFHI Global CriteriaBreastfeeding Committee for Canada to arrange External Assessment by 2-4 BFHI Assessors (takes 2 – 4 days) Submit Action Plan & timetable to meet criteria A Certificate of Commitment is issuedP/T Committee (or BCC) provides advice up to 4 years Meets Baby-Friendly Hospital Certificate Awarded By BCC and the P/T CommitteeRe-Assessment Every 5 years to Retain Baby-Friendly Criteria
12 ReferencesUNICEF Global Action BREASTFEEDING AND THE BABY-FRIENDLY INITIATIVECURRENT STATUS OF BABY-FRIENDLY HOSPITAL INITIATIVE List of Baby-Friendly HospitalsAnnex 1, Evaluating adequacy of Support for breast-feeding in maternity hospitals, wards and clinics, Infant Feeding The Physiological Basis, Supplement to Volume 67, 1989 of the Bulleting of the WHOBREASTFEEDING COMMITTEE FOR CANADA Breastfeeding Position Statement, How a Hospital, Maternity Facility, Birthing Center Becomes WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly™:The Mother-friendly Childbirth Initiative, 10 questions to Ask, CIMS (Coalition for Improving Maternity Services)Take an interactive quiz
13 Help facilities work towards a BFHI designation How we can contributeSupportWorld Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year, on the anniversary of the Innocenti Declaration. ( Aug 1- 7 ) UNICEF supports World Breastfeeding WeekHelp facilities work towards a BFHI designationCanada’s only Baby-Friendly Hospital is Brome-Missisquoi-Perkins Hospital in Cowansville, Quebec. Designated in July 1st, 1999 (as of March 2002)Thank you for listening!Kairan Athwal and Sylvia te Boekhorst