Evaluating the impact of baby-friendly Hospitals on mother’s knowledge and practices regarding breastfeeding in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction: Breastfeeding is a natural way of feeding to a new born baby. World Health Organization launched a Baby Friendly Hospital initiative in 1992, to strengthen maternity practices to support breast-feedings. Currently, about 19250 hospitals world wide have achieved Baby Friendly Status. To evaluate the role of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative on feeding and weaning practices of mothers in improving health status of children under five years of age
 Methodology: Cross sectional comparative study was done at baby friendly hospital (BFHI) and non-baby friendly hospital (Non BFHI) Karachi. A total of 784 mothers were selected through convenient sampling and grouped according to place of birth.
 Results: Feeding practices in BFHI group was better in some respects. Among them 81% mothers did not give any pre-lacteal feeds, 79% mothers reported that their babies were exclusively breast fed up to four months of age and 31% reported that they initiated breast feeding within one hour after the delivery.
 Conclusions: Baby Friendly Hospital initiative has a beneficial effect on feeding practices of mothers and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. But some areas of optimal breastfeeding practices are not taken care well. Initiation of breastfeeding within ½ to 1 hour needs attention.
 
 Key words: Breast feeding, Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, weaning, exclusive breast feeding