The Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative for neonatal wards. A mini review

Acta Paediatr. 2022 Apr;111(4):750-755. doi: 10.1111/apa.16230. Epub 2021 Dec 29.

Abstract

The Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative for Neonatal Wards (Neo-BFHI) is an expansion of the WHO/UNICEF Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding to address the needs of infants and families in all levels of neonatal care. The Neo-BFHI includes Three Guiding Principles as basic tenets, Ten Steps to protect, promote and support breastfeeding closely following the original Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative, and adherence to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. In 2020, the WHO/UNICEF published recommendations for breastfeeding small, sick and preterm newborns that aligns with the Neo-BFHI. Conclusion: This mini review provides a brief description of the content in the Neo-BFHI.

Keywords: Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative; breastfeeding; neonatal ward; preterm infant; sick newborn.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Feeding*
  • Female
  • Health Promotion*
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • United Nations