Write a short note on Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.

Definition

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global programme launched by WHO & UNICEF in 1991 to promote, protect and support breastfeeding by ensuring that maternity facilities practise the 'Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding' and do not accept free/low-cost breast-milk substitutes.

The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding

• Have a written breastfeeding policy routinely communicated to all staff.
• Train all healthcare staff in the skills needed to implement it.
• Inform all pregnant women about the benefits & management of breastfeeding.
• Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
• Show mothers how to breastfeed and maintain lactation even if separated from their infants.
• Give newborns no food or drink other than breast milk unless medically indicated.
• Practise rooming-in (mother & baby together 24 hours a day).
• Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
• Give no artificial teats or pacifiers to breastfeeding infants.
• Foster breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge.

Supporting Legislation (india)

BFHI works alongside the Infant Milk Substitutes (IMS) Act, which prohibits the advertising and promotion of breast-milk substitutes, feeding bottles and teats, protecting mothers from commercial pressure.

Benefits

• Higher rates of early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding.
• Reduced infant infections, malnutrition and mortality; a proven, cost-effective public-health strategy.

Compliance with all ten steps is required for accreditation.

Role of the Health Worker

• Counsel and support the mother on positioning, attachment and demand feeding.
• Ensure early initiation, rooming-in and no prelacteal feeds; identify and solve feeding problems early.

Outcomes

BFHI-accredited facilities show higher rates of early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding, and lower rates of infant infection and mortality.