Baby-Friendly Hospital Practices and Meeting Exclusive Breastfeeding Intention

Abstract

Two-thirds of mothers who intend to exclusively breastfeed are not meeting their intended duration. Increased Baby-Friendly hospital practices, particularly giving only breast milk in the hospital, may help more mothers achieve their exclusive breastfeeding intentions.

Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding at Primary Health Care in Indonesia

“…Beginning breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth and not being given supplemental feedings or pacifiers were associated with achieving exclusive breastfeeding intention [17]. From previous study in Singapore, antenatal breast feeding education and postnatal lactation support significantly improves rates of exclusive breastfeeding up to six month after delivery [7,13].…”

Evaluating the impact of provider breastfeeding encouragement timing: Evidence from a large population-based study

“…[16][17][18][19][20] In-hospital provider encouragement is a likely outgrowth of Baby-Friendly requirements for staff education, but has not been studied independently to our knowledge. One study found five specific hospital practices-breastfeeding within the first hour, breast milk only, infant rooming-in, no pacifier use, and receipt of a telephone number for use after discharge-increased breastfeeding duration, but did not mention provider encouragement.…”

“…Unlike previous studies which focused on specific clinics or small communities, [16][17][18] LAMB 2010 used a generalizable, population-based survey with more participants than most infant nutrition surveys on record. For example, LAMB garnered a representative sample of 5,302 respondents culled from one city compared to only 1,177 respondents in the Infant Feeding Practices Study II studying families nationwide.…”

ABM Clinical Protocol #5: Peripartum Breastfeeding Management for the Healthy Mother and Infant at Term, Revision 2013

“…Supplements may alter infant bowel flora, sensitize the infant to allergens (depending on the content of the feeding and method used), interfere with maternal-infant bonding, and interfere with infant weight gain. 14,[47][48][49] There is no role for the routine supplementation of non-dehydrated infants with water or dextrose water; in fact, this practice could contribute to hyperbilirubinemia. 50 Before any supplementary feedings are begun, it is important that a formal evaluation of each mother-baby dyad, including a direct observation of breastfeeding, is completed by a provider trained in lactation.…”