Staff perceptions and experiences of implementing the Baby Friendly Initiative in neonatal intensive care units in Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the perceptions, understandings, and experiences of maternity service staff toward the World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund (WHO/UNICEF) Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and its implementation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).


METHODS
An exploratory study using naturalistic methods of inquiry.


METHODS
Participants were recruited from a total of four Australian metropolitan maternity hospitals of which two included a NICU. Focus groups and individual interviews were undertaken in the participants' choice of location, usually hospital.


METHODS
Forty-seven participants included nursing and midwifery staff and one pediatrician.


METHODS
Data from focus groups and interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis used to identify themes related to implementation and perceptions of staff regarding BFHI.


RESULTS
Major themes identified focused on the differences in NICUs relative to maternity units, separate worlds of mother and infant, the hard work involved in implementing the BFHI, and the positive attitude that BFHI can be achieved. There were misconceptions by participants on the nature of the BFHI as it applied to NICUs. Factors hindering and supporting BFHI implementation were also identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Motivated staff, educational support, and clear guidelines are essential to support implementation of the BFHI in NICUs.
School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW 1797, Australia. ch.taylor@uws.edu.au
Christine
C
Taylor
Karleen
K
Gribble
Athena
A
Sheehan
Virginia
V
Schmied
Fiona
F
Dykes
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014944:World Health Organization; D055815:Young Adult