Assessing health staff practices that influence continuity of breastfeeding

Summary: Baby Friendly practices that support breastfeeding initiation and continuity save lives. The aim of this study is to assess the factors affecting the warm chain for supporting breastfeeding continuity. A survey for Baby Friendly practices was conducted in 7 maternity services, 5 of which were previously designated as Baby friendly in the early 1990s. Both staff and mother were interviewed. The results showed that although some practices related to early separation and prelacteal feeding have been maintained, yet they do not fully meet the global BFHI criteria. Absence of prolonged skin to skin contact and prevailing infant milk formula feeding practices in neonatal and pediatrics wards are the challenges that face success in these hospitals. It is concluded that achievement of full support for successful breastfeeding depends on identifying the loops in the warm chain for breastfeeding support. This chain begins with antenatal preparation in primary health care then initiation in maternity wards and continues to the support provided in neonatal and pediatric wards then in primary care during vaccination and growth monitoring. The chain can break at any point by the uncontrolled marketing practices of infant milk formula companies

assessment of mother friendly in maternity services in Egypt

The aim of the study was to assess mother friendly practices and satisfaction of mothers with services they received in maternity facilities. The study was conducted in 5 hospitals with 1145 mothers and 120 staff who attend labor. Overall findings revealed that mothers were not allowed to have preferred family companion at birth, non-pharmacological pain relief methods were ho encouraged and mothers were not allowed to assume position of her choice at birth. This reflected on mothers1 dissatisfaction with the quality of services. It is concluded that there is a need to encourage mother friendly practices at birth