When I was working at Children's Hospitals of Minnesota, I did become aware of the lack of  information about pediatric breastfeeding support.  
I think that the baby friendly hospitals are specifically geared to hospitals with maternity services or birthing centers.  These general hospitals
may may also have NICUs, Level two nurseries and pediatric units (or hospitals).  There have been some policies developed
for the neonatal patients but nothing for the pediatric population.
 
 We did go ahead and did develop a breastfeeding policy for our hospital.  It was based on the The Ten Steps for Successful Breastfeeding 
and also on The Seven Point Plan for the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding in Community Health Services.  I really feel that 
the 7 Point Plan is a very useful basis for a pediatric hospital policy.   
 
I would also refer you to the journal articles of Diane Spatz from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  Her article about Breastfeeding Support 
for the Rehospitalized Child is excellent.
 
Unfortunately there are no fancy awards for breastfeeding support in the pediatric hospital, but developing and implementing a policy for these
patients is vitally important.   
 
Warmly, Rachel Wahl RN IBCLC
 
http://breastfeedingcanada.ca/html/webdoc5.html

 

The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding 4
A Joint WHO/UNICEF Statement, Geneva, Switzerland, 1989
Every facility or agency providing maternity services and care of newborn infants should:

Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff. 
Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy. 
Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding. 
Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within a half-hour of birth. 
Show mothers how to breastfeed, and how to maintain lactation even if they should be separated from their infants. 
Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated. 
Practice rooming-in -- allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day. 
Encourage breastfeeding on demand. 
Give no artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to breastfeeding infants. 
Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic. 

 

The Seven Point Plan for the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding in Community Health Services 27

Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all staff and volunteers. 
Train all healthcare providers involved in the care of mothers and babies in the skills necessary to implement the policy. 
Inform all pregnant women and their families about the benefits and management of breastfeeding. 
Support mothers to initiate and sustain exclusive breastfeeding. 
Encourage sustained breastfeeding beyond 6 months with appropriate introduction of complementary foods. 
Provide a welcoming atmosphere for breastfeeding families. 
Promote collaboration between healthcare providers, breastfeeding support groups and the local community. 

Adapted from the UK The Baby-Friendly™ Initiative in the Community-A Seven Point Plan.


  		 	   		  
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