If you’ve read any of my baby blogs at all, you should know that I am about as pro-breastfeeding as they come. I’ve breastfed all of my babies, for at least a year, including my twins. A few of my children, I’ve even breastfed past two years of age. To me, breastfeeding makes sense in all ways. I am not saying this to judge anyone who chose not to breastfeed. In fact, I honestly don’t know anyone who didn’t want to breastfeed. I do know plenty of women, however, that gave it up because the logistics of breastfeeding became too overwhelming.
Enter the baby friendly hospital initiative started by UNICEF and WHO. I have never had the fortunate experience of giving birth in a baby friendly hospital. In fact, with regards to breastfeeding the word “sabotage” would more aptly describe the nurses who helped care for me and my infants after birth. However, UNICEF and WHO, recognizing the enormous health benefits of breastfeeding, have put together this initiative with the goal of encouraging mothers to breastfeed at least 6 weeks, and preferably longer.
A baby friendly hospital has to follow strict guidelines. In addition, hospital staff actively encourage mothers to breastfeed, ideally within one hour of giving birth. Mothers are not automatically given formula, in fact, they usually have to request it and only after meeting with the pediatrician. Baby friendly hospitals are not allowed to accept free formula, nor are they allowed to give a breastfeeding mom any literature or information, coupons etc. promoting formula. (Remember those free diaper bags?)
It may sound a little agressive but consider these outcomes:
* dramatic increase in mothers who breastfeed for the first 6 weeks of life
* dramatic increase in mothers who breastfeed for at least 6 months
* the two things that deter breastfeeding is not beginning right away and providing the baby with supplementation
Some people think that WHO and UNICEF are taking “this breastfeeding thing” too far. After all, feeding breast milk to a baby vs. formula is like giving a child fresh veggies vs. frozen–right?
Actually, according to research done by WHO (as well as many other organizations), the breastfeeding initiative saves baby friendly hospitals nearly half a billion dollars annually:
*For diarrhea alone, approximately 200,000 babies are hospitalized each year (in the U.S.) costing millions of dollars. Yet researchers estimate more than 75% of those babies were hospitalized either because of being formula fed, or because of being given solid foods too early.
*In breastfed infants, the rate of otitis media (ear infections) as well as respiratory infections is nearly 80% less in breastfed infants than in formula-fed infants.
*WHO estimates if there were a moderate rate in increased breastfeeding, the infant mortality rate would decline by 10% world wide.
One unique feature of the BFHI is that actively provide support. It goes beyond not giving moms formula, to providing round the clock support for breastfeeding in the hospital, and referrals to support groups and lactation consultants after you leave the hospital. I, for one, know many moms who gave up breastfeeding and would’ve loved to have been provided with that kind of support, at the beginning of their experience. Many of those moms could have continued breastfeeding with that kind of support.
So, I am thrilled that nurses and doctors have finally caught on, and are changing their facilities to reflect the values in the BFHI. I think that it’s their right to attempt to save money anywhere they can, and breastfeeding is a natural, healthy, and effective way to do it.
Related Websites:
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative
Related Articles:
Practices that Promote Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Full Term Multiples
My Nursing Nightmare
Get Breastfeeding Off to a Good Start