At 7:58 am -0500 30/10/00, [log in to unmask] wrote:

<snip>
>Where are the breastfeeding
>policies?
>
<snip>

Marsha says it all, here.

This is why it is step one of the UNICEF Baby friendly initiative.

My experience in the UK is that you can make no progress in an
institution with regard to bf without a policy. It has to be one
'owned' by the people who use it in their work, and developed by
them, with understanding, and with support from people at all levels
of the hierarchy (ands there is always a hierarchy).

It has then to be used as the basis for training, and there have to
be *consequences* when the policy is not followed.

This doesn't mean people being fired all over the place [though with
some people,  I dunno....; ) ].  Rather it means they are answerable
for their practice when it deviates from the policy, and they record
it - just as with any other protocol in any other part of the
maternity unit or hospital.

The policy has to be monitored, with praise heaped upon everyone, and
to allow everyone to have a stake in improving bf support. Stats
should be published in a public place.

I honestly don't think one section, or one individual, can 'persuade'
another enough to change the day to day management of bf in a
maternity unit.  Good bf support and knowledge has to be as automatic
as washing hands - and it takes policies to make sure that's followed
properly, too, in the UK at least.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne

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