Assessing health staff practices that influence continuity of breastfeeding

ABSTRACT

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