Baby Friendly Philosophy

In 1991 the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) founded the Baby Friendly Philosophy to promote the health and well being of children through good care of newborns. Because breastfeeding is universally accepted as the best way to feed a newborn, many of the steps surrounding the philosophy involve breastfeeding. This does not mean that they are not supportive of women who do not choose to breastfeed, but that women should be able to make an informed decision, and have the support they need to make that decision and be successful. WHO and UNICEF came up with 10 steps to Successful Breastfeeding, which serve as the "rules to live by" for hospitals that want to promote the philosophy and earn the certification.

Baby Friendly Philosophy involves early and constant contact between mom and baby, promotion and support of breastfeeding, and that support continues beyond the initial hospitalization. The 10 Steps are:

1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff. (This means that everyone who works in that hospital is aware of and supportive of breastfeeding, including physicians, nurses and support staff)

2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy. (This means all hospital employees must attend special classes that speak to the benefits of breastfeeding and the best ways to support moms who make that choice. Research shows that when staff understands, their patients are better informed and have better outcomes.)

3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding. (This means that in prenatal classes and in doctors offices they are informed regarding the benefits of breastfeeding and the how to's of breastfeeding)

4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within an hour of birth. (This means that whenever possible the first attempt at breastfeeding is within the first hour of birth. Research shows that babies that attempt within that first hour actually continue breastfeeding for a long time than babies that don't)

5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they should be separated from their infants. (Even babies who are premature or ill should have the benefits of breastfeeding and staff, both nurses and physicians, need to be able to teach mothers the importance of maintaining their breastmilk even if the baby is not with them)

6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breastmilk, unless medically indicated. (This means that although breastmilk is best, there are some medically indicated reasons why a baby might need some other food that breastmilk, or may need something in addition to breastmilk.)

7. Practice "rooming in" by allowing mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day. (The means that mothers and their newborns are not separated for any reason unless the mother chooses that. Research has shown that breastfeeding is most successful in families where they were never separated. Parents have more opportunities to learn about their baby and can cope better when they go home.)

8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand. (Research has shown that successfully breastfed babies set their own clocks and we cannot force them to eat at specific times.)

9. Give no artificial teats, pacifiers, dummies, or soothers to breastfeeding infants. (Here you can see the international influence! Some of these terms would not be used in the USA! Research has shown that babies who use pacifiers in their earliest days do not have as easy a time with breastfeeding. It may be because they get confused with all the different things going into their mouths.)

10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or birthing center. (This means that the hospital should continue their support past time of discharge or finds ways to help mothers find the support they need. Research has shown that support after discharge is just as important as in-hospital support. The support they get from family and friends is very important to their ability to continue breastfeeding.)

WHO and UNICEF have certified over 16,000 hospital around the world. There are 38 hospitals in the US: There is plenty of research out there that supports that breastfeeding is the best way to feed newborns. Methodist Hospital, in Omaha, is the only hospital in the midwest that is certified Baby Friendly. Our breastfeeding initiation rates exceed 75% and we are proud that we are able to support so many families in providing the best possible start for their newest members. We do not ever pressure nor force anyone to breastfeed who is not comfortable with that choice. We support any feeding decision that a parent makes and will do our best to assure that their initial time with their new baby is as successful as possible.