BREAST FEEDING

TEN STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL BREASTFEEDING The initiation and sustaining of breast feeding requires constant support and motivation especially when the woman has had a long and tiring labour and is exhausted. Every facility providing maternity services and care for newborn infants should; 1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all healthcare staff. 2.Train all healthcare staff in skills necessary to implement this policy. 3.Inform all pregnant women about  the benefits and management of breastfeeding. 4.Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within a half -hour of birth. 5.Show mothers how to breast-feed, and how to maintain lactation even if they should be separated from their infants. 6.Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk unless medically indicated. 7.Practise rooming in - allow mothers and infants to remain together- 24hours a day. 8.Encourage breast- feeding infants. 9.Give no artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to breast - feeding infants. 10.Foster the establishment of breast- feeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.