The Baby-Friendly way: the best breastfeeding start.
In 1991, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund launched the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. "Baby-Friendly" is a designation that a hospital or birthing site can receive by demonstrating compliance with the "Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding." Baby-Friendly is more than a catchy name or a snappy slogan. With Baby-Friendly policies in place, breastfeeding initiation and duration rates increase and infant illness decreases. This article reviews the development of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, describes the components of the initiative, and evaluates current data that favor the universal implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.
Philipp
Barbara L
BL
Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA. Bobbi.Philipp@bmc.org
Merewood
Anne
A
D001942:Breast Feeding; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States