Effect on Baby-Friendly Hospital Steps When Hospitals Implement a Policy to Pay for Infant Formula
Marie Tarrant1, Kris Y W Lok2, Daniel Y T Fong2
1School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong tarrantm@hku.hk.
Summary
Hospitals paying for infant formula increased exposure to Baby-Friendly steps for breastfeeding mothers. Greater exposure to these steps significantly lowered the risk of breastfeeding cessation, promoting longer breastfeeding duration.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Health Policy
Background:
- The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative mandates hospitals purchase infant formula at market rates.
- Previous research has not evaluated the impact of hospitals purchasing infant formula on mothers' adherence to Baby-Friendly practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess how hospital policies on infant formula purchasing influence mothers' exposure to Baby-Friendly steps.
- To determine the relationship between exposure to Baby-Friendly steps and breastfeeding rates.
Main Methods:
- A repeated prospective cohort study involved 2470 breastfeeding mother-infant dyads from 4 Hong Kong public hospitals.
- Data on exposure to 6 Baby-Friendly steps were collected via medical records and maternal self-reports, with follow-up to 12 months postpartum.
Main Results:
- Following the implementation of infant formula purchasing policies, mothers experienced an increase in 4 out of 6 Baby-Friendly steps.
- Breastfeeding initiation within the first hour rose from 28.7% to 45%, and in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding increased from 17.9% to 41.4%.
- Experiencing each additional Baby-Friendly step reduced the risk of breastfeeding cessation by 8% (HR=0.92).
Conclusions:
- Hospital policies requiring payment for infant formula are associated with increased exposure to Baby-Friendly steps among breastfeeding mothers.
- Enhanced exposure to Baby-Friendly steps significantly correlates with a reduced risk of breastfeeding cessation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
38
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
38
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
37
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
37
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
4.9K
Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
4.9K
01:15Nursing Implementation
6.5K
Implementation is the execution of the nursing care plan developed during the planning phase.
The five steps to implementing effective nursing care include reassessing the patient, reviewing and revising the existing nursing care plan, organizing the resources and care delivery, anticipating and preventing complications, and implementing nursing interventions.
The five steps to implementing effective nursing care include reassessing the patient, reviewing and revising the existing nursing care plan, organizing the resources and care delivery, anticipating and preventing complications, and implementing nursing interventions.
6.5K
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
4.3K
At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...
4.3K
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
484
Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight,...
484