Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), launched by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1992, aims to enable mothers to make informed decisions about the best way to feed their babies. It promotes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding with complementary foods up to two years or beyond. The initiative assesses hospitals based on ten evidence-based practices designed to support successful breastfeeding. The BFHI was revised in 2018 to strengthen its impact and address contemporary challenges in infant feeding. This answer details the ten steps of the revised BFHI (2018).
The Ten Steps of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (Revised 2018)
The ten steps are designed to support mothers in achieving their breastfeeding goals. They are:
- 1. Develop a written breastfeeding policy that is comprehensively implemented and regularly reviewed. This policy should be communicated to all healthcare staff.
- 2. Train all healthcare staff in skills necessary to implement this policy. This includes doctors, nurses, midwives, and support staff. Training should be ongoing and updated regularly.
- 3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits of breastfeeding. This information should be provided during antenatal care and include practical advice on how to initiate and maintain breastfeeding.
- 4. Facilitate immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact between mothers and babies immediately after birth. This practice helps regulate the baby’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing, and promotes bonding.
- 5. Support mothers to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. Early initiation of breastfeeding helps establish milk supply and provides the baby with colostrum, rich in antibodies.
- 6. Encourage exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Exclusive breastfeeding means giving the baby only breast milk, with no other foods or liquids, except for prescribed medications.
- 7. Facilitate rooming-in, allowing mothers and babies to remain together 24 hours a day. This promotes frequent breastfeeding and allows mothers to respond to their baby’s cues.
- 8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand. Mothers should be encouraged to feed their babies whenever they show signs of hunger, rather than on a fixed schedule.
- 9. Provide no artificial teats or pacifiers to breastfeeding infants. Artificial teats can interfere with breastfeeding and lead to nipple confusion.
- 10. Support mothers in their transition back home and refer them to breastfeeding support groups. Continued support after discharge is crucial for maintaining breastfeeding success.
The revised 2018 guidelines place greater emphasis on the importance of skilled support for mothers, particularly those facing challenges with breastfeeding. They also highlight the need for hospitals to work with communities to create a supportive environment for breastfeeding.
The BFHI is not merely about hospital practices; it’s about creating a system of care that empowers mothers to make informed choices and provides them with the support they need to successfully breastfeed their babies.
Conclusion
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative remains a cornerstone of global efforts to improve infant and maternal health. By adhering to these ten steps, healthcare facilities can significantly enhance breastfeeding rates and contribute to better outcomes for both mothers and babies. Continuous monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation of the BFHI are essential to address evolving needs and ensure its sustained effectiveness in promoting optimal infant feeding practices. The initiative’s success relies on a collaborative approach involving healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.