Listening and learning
......to move Baby Friendly forward
Its been quite a journey!
Essential for successful breastfeeding in 1938!
A desire to nurse A stabilised nervous system Freedom from worry or pain A well formed breast with an adequate blood supply Vigorous sucking on part of the infant Feeding at regular intervals
Mayes midwifery 1938
Let’s not forget. . .
Adverts in health services
Purpose of the UK Baby Friendly Initiative
To improve practice within
the health care system in
order to increase
breastfeeding rates and so
improve child and maternal
health.
BFI success Skin contact widely practiced
Mothers and babies stay together
Baby led feeding promoted
Health professional skills improved
Decreased advertising in health service
Enhanced partnership working
Do you agree that Baby Friendly has
influenced breastfeeding
practice?
Promotion or pressure?
We have been listening
Lead’s Role
How BFI helped
Framework Evidence based Training Guidance / advice Liaison with other areas Friendship and support A listening ear
Challenges. . . Embedding sustainable
change
Antenatal information giving
Stressful assessments
Connecting with women
Keeping staff motivated
A changing service
“Congratulations, it’s a midwife!”
Is antenatal information a challenge for you?
Is it difficult to keep yourself and others
motivated?
What women want
Realistic expectations
Emotional aspects
Partner included
Peer support input
Women centred
What leads are suggesting...
Greater focus on outcomes
Assessments to support
growth
Importance of nurturing
Support with communication
Remember also. . .
‘A bee shouldn’t be able to fly:
it’s body is too heavy for it’s
wings. But the bumblebee
doesn’t know this and it flies
very well’
(Conger 1991)
Feelings of failure
Love matters
Early loving experiences
are important to enable a
baby to develop his or her
full potential
“My life was really, really dull. The only thing that really stands out is the birth of my children. That’s the only thing that has happened to me ever.”
“So that’s about it’ Ann
Do you agree that more can be done
to support the mother/baby relationship?
Building on our success
Holistic, woman-centred approach
Mother baby relationship at the core
Greater emphasis on sustaining
breastfeeding
Support with communication skills
Assessment more outcome-focused
Improved care for bottle feeding
Greater involvement of neonatal units
Anyone feeling nervous right now -
wondering what this means for
you?
Anyone feeling excited ?
Do you agree that Baby Friendly has
influenced breastfeeding
practice?
Is antenatal information a challenge for you?
Is it difficult to keep yourself and others
motivated?
Do you agree that more can be done
to support the mother/baby relationship?
Where would you like to see Baby Friendly going in
the future?
Thank you
Don’t forget to complete your blue cards and post them in the marked boxes