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The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative: Breastfeeding for Life

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The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative: Breastfeeding for Life
The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative: Breastfeeding for Life
Kelli C. Mendoza and Lauren v Romanaskus
Our Lady of Holy Cross College

Abstract
Malnutrition is responsible directly or indirectly, for about one third of deaths among children under five. Nutrition and nurturing during the first years of life are crucial for life-long health and wellbeing. Exclusive breastfeeding is known to benefit mother, child, environment, and to be cost- effective. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global effort that aims to implement practices that protect, promote and support breastfeeding. This paper will discuss the program’s history and purpose, and evaluate its success globally and by comparison in two states. Although the BFHI has been successful, barriers to breastfeeding still exist. Additional cost effective changes to promote breastfeeding must be explored and advocacy is encouraged. Keywords: malnutrition, breastfeeding, practices, baby-friendly, advocacy

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative: Breastfeeding for Life
The experience of breastfeeding is essential and special for many reasons. It allows for maternal infant bonding, provides cost savings, and is the perfect nutrition for the infant or young child. It provides health benefits to the baby as well as the mother. Breast milk is easy to digest and contains disease fighting antibodies which help protect infants from bacterial and viral illness. Children, who are breastfed, demonstrate a decreased incidence of SIDS, obesity, diabetes asthma, and otitis media, and experience enhanced development and intelligence (Smithers &McIntyre, 2010). Mothers who breast feed have been shown to have a lower risk of health problems including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and type II diabetes (Galston, 2008). These are just a few of the many known health benefits to child and mother. Environmentally, breastfeeding is good practice as there are no bottles or nipples which need a


References: Baby-Friendly, USA. (2010). Percentage of Live Births at Facilities Designated as Baby-Friendly. Retrieved April 7, 2011 from http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/eng03.html Baby- Friendly, USA DiGirolamo, A.M., Grummer-Strawn, L.M., Fein, S.B. (2008). Effect of maternity care practices on breast feeding. Pediatrics 122, S43-S49. doi: 10.1542/peds.2008-1315e Galson, S.K Rubin, R. (2010, July 28). Nursing mothers get a break at work, thanks to health reform. USAToday Online Edition. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-07-28-breastpumping28_ST_N.htm Smithers, L., McIntyre, E World Health Organization. (2009). Retrieved April 4, 2011, from Baby- Friendly Hospital Initiative: http://www.who.int/nutrition/ publications/infantfeeding/9789241594950/en/index.html World Health Organization Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70809 985-778-1342
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