Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)
Counselling based-Skill Training of Maternity Staff
WHO’s “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding”
The Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) has been working on protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding for over 30 years and earned credits and legitimacy to its work. BPNI is technical partner of the Government of India in implementing its MAA programme as well as member of several committees related to child health and nutrition, and has maintained a track record of working on ethics. BPNI does not receive funds from sources that have conflicts of interest such as infant milk substitute manufactures, baby food industry or its allies.
The MOHFW-Government of India, WHO and UNICEF recommend i) initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth (no pre lacteal feeds), ii) exclusive breastfeeding (only breastfeeding, nothing else) for the first six months of life and iii) continued breastfeeding till 2 years of age or beyond along with appropriate complementary feeding after six months of age.
The WHO and UNICEF launched the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in 1993 to implement the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” in the health facilities that provide maternity services. This led to improved breastfeeding out comes in health facilities. WHO has recently revised its guidance and improved the quality for adaptation at the national level. The MOHFW, Government of India did adopt BFHI in 1993 but it did not sustain beyond 1998. In August 2016, the Government of India launched the Mother’s Absolute Affection (MAA) programme and renewed its commitment to improve breastfeeding in the health facilities.
Development of training programmes has been BPNI’s key area of expertise. Counselling based Skill training of health facility staff of maternity services is necessary to help mothers succeed in breastfeeding initiation both in vaginal and caesarean births. This training programme lasting for about 26 hours imparts clinical counselling and support skills enabling maternity staff to support mothers both during pregnancy and at the time of birth.
AIM OF THE COURSE
Equip maternity staff with knowledge, expertise, communication and support skills for success of breastfeeding in health facilities.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS COURSE
Hospital Maternity staff, doctors, nursing personnel, nutritionists, lactation support staff/ counsellors,
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
Thirty (24-30) in one session
DURATION
A 4 days training can be conducted physically at a hospital with maternity services.
CERTIFICATE
Certificates are awarded to those who successfully complete the training course.
WHO WILL CONDUCT THE TRAINING
BPNI has a pool of “Course Directors” and a group of more than 150 “National Trainers” who will conduct such courses.
TYPE OF TRAINING
The training course is highly participatory. It has classroom sessions, lectures, practice classes, hospital visits, discussions, demonstrations, exercises, role-plays, group work etc. The clinical practice is hallmark of this course; 3 times during the course. Participants practice their skills with mother and baby pairs in the wards. In different clinical practice sessions, the participants practice listening and learning skills, Building confidence and giving support, assess and observe a breastfeed, position a baby at the breast, expression of breast milk and cup feeding and taking breastfeeding history.
COMPETENCE AFTER RECEIVING TRAINING
At the end of the training course, the participants will be able to,
LANGUAGE
The course is presently conducted in English/Hindi and other local languages where the course is held, as counselling practices with mothers are held in local languages.
THE COURSE CONTENT