Per Baby-Friendly USA (B-F USA), “the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, which form the foundation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, are a package of evidence-based practices shown to improve breastfeeding outcomes. Studies have shown that the more steps a mother reports experiencing, the more likely she is to meet her breastfeeding goals.”
B-F USA has made some changes and additions to their Guidelines and Criteria for Steps 2 (Staff Education), Step 3 (Prenatal Education), Step 7 (Rooming In), and Step 9 (Pacifier Use) based on new research-based evidence and new guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO). It’s not as overwhelming or confusing as has been rumoured. Here is a brief summary for Step 3, 7 and 9.
Step 3: Education for Pregnant Women
Baby-Friendly is changing with the times. Videos and text messages have been recognized as new ways to educate mothers about breastfeeding prenatally. However, follow-up conversations are still recommended.
Step 7: Rooming-In
Baby-Friendly is safe! New interim guidelines, although encouraging 24/7 rooming-in, also acknowledge that some mothers and families need help to safely care for their infant. Baby-Friendly USA allows for these special circumstances. Nurses must remember to document, document, document!
Step 9: Counsel mothers on the use and risks of feeding bottles, teats (artificial nipples) and pacifiers
Formerly read: Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants.
Baby-Friendly is in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Because pacifiers increase safety during sleep, Baby-Friendly no longer bans pacifiers in birthing centers, but instead encourages education about pacifiers because sometimes they can affect latch. Once again, it remains very important to document, document, document!
