Status of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in Neonatal Units

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Public health
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Neonatal units are critical areas where infant health outcomes are paramount.
• Promoting breastfeeding is crucial for reducing child morbidity and mortality.
• The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a key strategy for supporting breastfeeding in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the implementation status of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in neonatal units of public hospitals in Dhaka.
• To identify adherence to BFHI criteria within these neonatal units.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from July to December 2014.
• Data were collected from 137 participants, including 70 caregivers and 67 healthcare providers, in tertiary public hospitals in Dhaka.
• The study focused on hospitals declared as Baby Friendly.

Main Results:

• All discharged infants in the past month were exclusively breastfed.
• While all hospitals had written breastfeeding policies, only 41.48% of staff received BFHI training.
• Only 31.34% of staff actively assisted with breastfeeding (Step 5), though Steps 6 and 9 (no pacifiers/teats, no unnecessary food/drink) were fully met.

Conclusions:

• Despite policies and exclusive breastfeeding at discharge, significant gaps exist in staff training and practical support for breastfeeding in Dhaka's public hospital neonatal units.
• Further training and motivation are needed for healthcare providers to fully implement BFHI standards and optimize breastfeeding support.