Today, in relation to the news of the motto of the World Breastfeeding Week 2010 I bring you a video about the Friends of Children Hospitals Initiative, today Initiative for the Humanization of Birth and Lactation, IHAN, carried out by Dr. Patricia Barrios, of which we have already spoken to you on past occasions, and which maintains the health and lactation blog "Tetocalactancia".
Clearly explain what the steps are, those famous "10 steps to successful breastfeeding", which are going to be promoted this year. Many Spanish hospitals already have this certification that, at least in theory, guarantees that breastfeeding will not be hindered by hospital routines.
However, experience tells me that these steps, even in these centers, are far from being fulfilled. A few days ago a friend gave birth in a Madrid hospital "friend of children." Her baby had jaundice, so she was not discharged and stayed for a couple of days in neonates.
The mother was given a very clear document that indicated that she would have access to the baby to breastfeed on demand and that no supplements or pacifiers would be given. The reality is that, although he could stay in an attached room 24 hours a day, the child was taken every three months to breastfeed, not allowing him to breastfeed when he asked for it and several times, even despite having indicated it in his birth plan, he found him with the pacifier on.
And here goes the explanation. The baby needed to be under the light of the lamp and they did not want to put it oriented towards the mother who held it, the demand was for them to give demand if the baby wanted a tit but every three hours to not interfere with their routines and the pacifier will They gave so he wouldn't cry if he wanted to be with his mother.
I am still assimilating it and we are looking for the best way to take our complaint to the direction of the center, once she overcomes the emotional shock that this has supposed and manages to establish breastfeeding.
The reality is that the "10 steps" work and the World Health Organization itself endorses it, but if the organizational routines and training of professionals do not adapt in depth, all good intentions are reduced.
The "10 steps to successful breastfeeding" involve a profound change in mentality and hospital organization, not just an empty document or certification. They must be the model of attention.
Hospitals must have a written breastfeeding policy and train staff on an updated basis. Mothers should receive information before delivery and be supported later. Babies should start breastfeeding within half an hour after birth and always remain with their mothers. In addition, supplements and pacifiers should be avoided. Finally, hospitals need to encourage mothers to come into contact with breastfeeding support groups, as their role is known to be essential for the maintenance of breastfeeding.
At video about the Hospital Amigo de los Niños Initiative that I show you clearly explain what those 10 fundamental steps are for mothers who want to breastfeed. Were they fulfilled in your hospitals?
