Breastfeeding Success Through Baby-Friendly” Policies
Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7 and the entire month of August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
Steps to Successful Breastfeeding
There are simple steps that hospitals, health care providers, workplaces, the community, and families can take to support breastfeeding and letting mothers know that they are giving their babies the best nutrition and disease fighting protection for life.
Top 5 Steps to Success - What Hospitals Can Do
While there are more steps hospitals can take to promote breastfeeding, these five are the most important:
- Infants are breastfed in the first hour after birth
- Infants stay in the same room as their mothers
- Infants are fed only breast milk and do not get formula also (no supplementation)
- No pacifier is used
- Staff gives mothers a telephone number to call for help with breastfeeding
Steps for the Community
Breastfeeding support extends into the community, involving employers, healthcare providers, and families. Here are some examples:
- Employers can provide lactation rooms so that employees can express milk (pump) while they are away from their babies.
- Businesses can post a “breastfeeding welcome here” sign to welcome breastfeeding mothers.
- Physicians and other healthcare providers can praise women for their decision to breastfeed and encourage them to seek help if they have concerns.
- Families can tell new mothers how proud they are that their baby is breastfeeding and offer to help with household chores.
For More Information
Columbus Public Health
Stop by the Breastfeeding Booth at the Farmer’s Market at Columbus Public Health on July 29th, August 5th, and August 12th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
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