Professional Documents
Culture Documents
06
Maternal and Child Health Program
NATIONAL OBJECTIVES FOR HEALTH 2011-2016 OF MCH Harmonize efforts of DOH, allied agencies and partners in
PROGRAM IN RELATION TO MDG 4 AND 5 supporting local delivery of CS services.
MDG 4: REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY
TARGET: Reduce by 2/3, between 1990 and 2015, the MDG 5: IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH
under-five mortality rate TARGET: Reduce by 3/4, between 1990 and 2015, the
Child mortality indicators are the most sensitive markers of the maternal mortality rate
general health care status of a country. Maternal mortality
Number of infant and under-five deaths continued to decrease o Death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days after
from 2006 to 2011 pregnancy termination
In 2006 o Considered as a strong indicator for health care status in a
o Infant deaths: 24 per 1,000 live births country since it arises from risks attributed to pregnancy and
o Under-five deaths: 32 per 1,000 live births childbirth as well as from poor quality of health care services
In 2011 MMR
o Infant deaths: 22 per 1,000 live births o 1990: 209 per 100,000 live births
o Under-five deaths: 30 per 1,000 live births o 1998: 172 per 100,000 live births
Pneumonia - leading cause of death in children below 5 years o 2008: 162 per 100,000 live births in 2006
old in both male and female o 2011: 221 per 100,000 live births
See appendix for assessment of MDG 4 and leading causes Contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR)
of mortality in children below 5 years old o Among currently married women: almost 50% (from 1998
to 2011)
HEALTH SERVICES INVOLVING MDG 4 o From 2006 to 2011, decreased from 50.6 percent to 48.9
Breastfeeding percent. For the same period, the prevalence rate for modern
o During the first six months methods was roughly constant, while the traditional methods
o Conveys significant immunological, and nutritional benefits decreased by 2.8 percentage points
on infants Causes of increase in maternal deaths
o 2011 Family Health Survey (FHS) o Delay in taking critical actions
Almost 92% of children age 6-35 months old had been o Delay in seeking care
breastfed at some time o Delay in making referrals
27% were exclusively breastfed. o Delay in providing appropriate medical management
o Higher percentage of poor children (34%) than non-poor o Other factors
children (24%) were exclusively breastfed Unplanned, mistimed and unwanted pregnancies
o CAR - highest exclusively breastfed Poor detection and management of high-risk pregnancies
o Region 4A - lowest to be exclusively breastfed Poor access to health facilities due to geographic distance
Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization and cost of transportation
Act of 2011 Lack of staff competent in handling obstetrical
o Republic Act No. 10152 emergencies
o Provides a comprehensive, mandatory and sustainable Hypertension & postpartum hemorrhage
immunization program for vaccine‐preventable diseases for o Leading causes of maternal mortality
all infants and children o Significant portion of pregnant women do not have access to
o Mandatory basic immunizations for all infants and children prenatal care and professional births attendants, which
cover the following vaccine‐preventable diseases increase the occurrence of pregnancy-related complications
Tuberculosis 73% of Filipino mothers do not want additional children or want
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis to delay pregnancy
Poliomyelitis o However the mean number of children born to a Filipino
Measles woman upon reaching 40-49 years is 4, with an average
Mumps fertility rate of about 3.3 in 2008
Rubella or German measles o The high fertility rate can be attributed to the low
Hepatitis‐ B contraceptive prevalence rate among Filipino women of
H. Influenza type B (HIB) reproductive age and among married women,
o Given free at government hospitals or health centers to o 35-39 years age group: highest percentage of
infants and children up to five years of age contraceptive use
o A child is considered fully immunized if he or she had BCG, o 15-19 years age group: lowest percentage of
measles, and three doses each of DPT, polio and Hepatitis‐B contraceptive use
vaccines before the first birthday See appendix for percentage of distribution of main
o ARMM - least to receive all vaccinations causes of maternal mortality, and health-related
practices affecting maternal health, and health-related
NATIONAL OBJECTIVE FOR 2011-2016 practices affecting maternal health
Reduced Child Mortality
NATIONAL OBJECTIVE FOR 2011-2016
OVERALL GOAL Improved Maternal Health
Reduction of under-five mortality rate by two-thirds
OVERALL GOAL
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES Improve maternal health and ensure the survival, health
See appendix and well-being of mothers and their unborn
CHILD SURVIVAL
It has been estimated that 3000 children under 5 years of age
die every day from common preventable and treatable
conditions including diarrhea, pneumonia, and perinatal events
o Many of these deaths are associated with undernutrition INSUFFICIENT FUNDING FOR CHILD SURVIVAL
o Vaccine preventable diseases and injuries further contribute An estimated $34 per capita is required for basic health
to this high number of childhood death services including an essential package for child survival
Most childhood deaths occur in low-income countries or poor Many countries and areas do not allocate enough general
communities in middle-income countries where many deaths government resources to health
are unrecorded. The allocation for tax revenue to health is insufficient and
Countries account for more than 75% of all deaths mechanisms such as insurance for collecting more resources
among children under 5 are not well developed
o Cambodia Most of the under-5 high-mortality countries and areas spend
o China less than 5% of their gross domestic product on health, and
o The Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the per capita health spending is lower than recommended by
o Papua New Guinea the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health
o Philippines Per capita government expenditure on health at average
o Vietnam exchange rate (US$) in 2002
PRE-PREGNANCY PACKAGE OF
reduction of workload, ANC visits and access to quality food. tablets 1 tablet daily)
2. Tetanus toxoid immunization following the
Nutrition is an intrinsic part of the existing preventive and recommended schedule
curative care services and these can be provided via extended 3. Fertility awareness, birth spacing, and family
basic health or antenatal care services with strong linkages to planning counselling
SERVICES
2. Postpartum check-up including identification of BEmONC-capable network of facilities and providers and the
early signs and symptoms of postpartum CEmONC-capable facility or network of facilities and these will
complications like hemorrhage, infection, and be discussed below:
hypertension
3. Micronutrient supplementation, including iron and 1. DETERMINE THE PRESENCE OF COMMUNITY LEVEL
folate PROVIDERS
4. Provision of FP services and contraception Service delivery involving public health services initially
including surgical procedures where appropriate: takes place at the household or the community level.
bilateral tubal ligation (BTL), no-scalpel This includes: outpatient clinical services such as family
vasectomy (NSV), and management of planning, prenatal, post-partum and newborn care and
complications resulting from contraception nutrition.
5. Counselling on: It also comprises of sharing of information to empower clients
− Nutrition and assisting in the setting up of support systems (e.g.
− Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months transport and communication systems).
− Essential neonatal care The core package of services of MNCHN must be made
available through a network of BHS, RHUs, private clinics and
Immediate neonatal care package (required Community Health Teams (CHT) organized in each barangay
within 24 hours after birth) or purok of the locality.
1. Cord care CHTs are essential and necessary in every priority communities
2. Vitamin K injection and each member can manage at most 20 households.
3. Eye prophylaxis The community-level MNCHN providers as part of the overall
4. Delayed bathing until 6 hours of life MNCHN service delivery network are comprised of the
5. BCG and first dose of Hepatitis B immunization following:
6. Newborn screening
7. Birth registration A. AT THE BARANGAY LEVEL
8. Counselling on postpartum/postnatal check-up, A community health team led by the midwife or any barangay
home care, and immunization official identified that carries out the task of providing
1. Low birth weight newborns information and basic health services to households.
MATERNAL AND
2. Premature newborns The team may be composed of the following: barangay health
EMERGENCY
PACKAGE
SERVICE
Guidebook from the Department of Health (DOH). BEmONC aims to treat and manage the complications of
Pregnancy tracking and postpartum tracking reports pregnancy such as:
must be attached to the combined family profile. o Hemorrhage
It is important in the entry of Target Client List (TCL) o Severe infection
for updating and to ensure that all pregnant women o Hypertension
and new mothers are recorded and reported o Complications of abortions (such as septic abortion and
accordingly. dystocia)
The families included must be oriented on the In line with this, BEmONC-capable facilities have six signal
available sources of information that they can get functions, as follows:
ORIENT
and how they can directly benefit. Family health Parenteral administration of oxytocin in the third stage of
guide and family health diary are utilized. labor
o Parenteral administration of loading dose of anti-convulsants
o Parenteral administration of initial dose of antibiotics
Health risk assessment of each member of the o Performance of assisted deliveries (imminent breech
families is guided using the CHT Manual and Health delivery)
ASSESS
The CHT member will aid the families in selecting BEmONCs are designated based on an area’s access to
health service providers in the health facilities and CEmONC services.
transport options using the family health guide and o The second step is the identification and selection
family health diary. facilities to provide BEmONC services.
Regular monitoring of all families shall be done to This entails listing of all the hospitals identified in
ensure that all members who have identified needs designating a CEmONC as well possible BEmONC facilities
MONITOR
have accessed appropriate health services. to constitute the pool for potential BEmONC-capable
This is specific for pregnant women in acquiring pre- facilities; confirming of the distances of each health facility
natal case, new mothers for post-partum care and from the identified population groups; categorization of
newborns for vaccination, newborn screening and these health facilities according to type of BEmONC; and
breastfeeding. completion of their characteristics and features, including
The CHT shall periodically accomplish and submit addresses, licensing and accreditation status, ownership,
monthly summary forms including pregnancy and modes of transportation, and client volume.
REPORT
ADVANTAGES OF BREASTFEEDING
Benefits for Children
The benefits of breastfeeding begin from the first moments (Please see appendix for the summary of strategies)
after childbirth and last for many years after breastfeeding
ends. STRATEGIES ACTION POINTS INTERVENTIONS
Compared with formula-fed children, those who are breastfed GOAL!!!
are healthier and have fewer symptoms and shorter illnesses
when they do get sick.
Breastfed children: IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS OF STRATEGIES
Score higher on cognitive and IQ tests at school age, A. Management
and also on tests of visual acuity At the national level, the over-all management of the IYCF shall
Have a lower incidence of sudden infant death be the responsibility of a Management Committee of the
syndrome (SIDS) Department of Health:
Less likely to suffer from infectious illnesses and their o National Center for Disease Prevention and Control
symptoms (e.g., diarrhea, ear infections, respiratory tract (NCDPC)
infections, meningitis) o National Center for Health Facility Development (NCHFD)
Have a lower risk of Crohn’s Dse & ulcerative colitis o Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD)
Suffer less often from some forms of cancer (e.g., o Bureau of Health Facility Services (BHFS)
Hodgkin’s disease, childhood leukemia) o National Center for Health Promotion (NCHP)
Have a lower risk of juvenile onset diabetes, if they o Bureau of Local Health Development (BLHD)
have a family history of the disease and are breastfed o Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Medical Center (also designated
exclusively for at least 4 months IYCF National Training Institution)
Significantly protected against asthma and eczema, The NCDPC staff shall act as the Secretariat and convenor of
if at risk for allergic disorders and exclusively breastfed for the Committee.
at least 4 months National IYCF Coordinators or focal persons from
May have a lower risk of obesity in childhood and in concerned offices shall be designated for the major
adolescence components of the program:
Have fewer cavities, less likely to require braces o Mother and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiatives: NCHFD
Breastfeeding provides benefits not just for full-term infants o Enforcement of E.O. 51 (Milk Code) & R.A. 7600: BFAD
but also for premature and low birth weight infants. Compared o Public Health Initiatives: NCDPC
with premature infants who receive human milk, those who
receive formula have future IQs that are 8–15 points lower. B. Supervision, Monitoring, Evaluation
For premature infants, human milk: Periodic monitoring and evaluation of the progress of the
Significantly shortens length of hospital stay implementation of the IYCF Strategy shall be established,
Reduces hospital costs institutionalized and integrated with other MCH reviews.
Hastens brainstem maturation Monitoring of the different indicators shall be integrated into the
Reduces the risk of life-threatening disease of the DOH Monitoring Coaching Team and the regular hospital
gastrointestinal system and other infectious diseases assessment system.
National as well as regional monitoring teams shall be
Benefits for Mothers strengthened to ensure strict compliance to the laws in support
1. Less likely to develop ovarian and pre-menopausal of IYCF.
breast cancers. The more months a woman has spent Incentive and award system shall be planned to sustain efforts
breastfeeding, the greater the beneficial effect. on promoting, protecting and improving infant and young child
2. Reduces osteoporosis. feeding.
3. Quicker recovery after childbirth, with reduced risk of The National Nutrition Council gives regular awards for
postpartum bleeding local government units.
4. More likely to return to their pre-pregnancy weight
5. Reduces the risk for long-term obesity.
10. Skilled birth attendant – refers to professional health 13. The hospital as a workplace must have in its hospital
worker such as doctor, nurse, midwife with the training or policy the following:
educational background to perform safe and clean deliveries a. Milk Code enforcement
b. Breastfeeding breaks
IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES c. Two additional breaks to allow mothers to express
For health facilities to be considered Mother-Baby Friendly, Breastmilk
a set of criteria based on guidelines provided by the d. Breastmilk storage facilities
UNICEF/ WHO have been developed and adopted locally e. There shall be a refrigerator exclusively for the
for the purpose of setting the standards which shall be the storage of expressed Breastmilk from the mother
basis for the requirement among other to be institutionalized f. Breastfeeding room or a safe designated area in the
through licensing, accreditation and other regulatory hospital
mechanisms in the pursuit of quality maternity and g. This is a physical facility where mothers can express
newborn care service delivery in the hospital facilities Breastmilk and where a refrigerator is located,
exclusively used for the storage of Breastmilk. A
A. Steps to a Mother- Friendly/ handwashing facility must be accessible
Safe Motherhood Initiative h. Support group
i. Other hospital personnel ready or available to assist
Requires Steps to be followed by the health facilities
and counsel the mother to be successful in
according to the UNICEF/WHO Global Criteria
breastfeeding or peer counselor from among the
1. The hospital facility shall incorporate mother-
successful breastfeeding mothers
friendly labor and birthing practices in the health
facilities’ policies or standard operating procedures,
Working mothers need a supportive environment and as
including:
such, are given due consideration by their employers in
a. Clean birthing technique
adjusting work schedules of breastfeeding mothers
b. Delayed cord clamping (3 minutes)
They are also encouraged to continue breastfeeding
c. Placenta removal and disposal
through provision of enabling conditions such as paid
d. Collaboration / consultation with other maternity
maternity leave, part- time work arrangements, on- site
services, including maintaining communication with
crèches, day care facilities or facilities for expressing and
all caregivers when referral or transfer is necessary.
storing Breastmilk and paid breastfeeding breaks
e. Linking the mother and the baby to appropriate
Mothers should still be able to continue breastfeeding and
community resources, including pre- natal and
care for their infants after they return to paid
post- natal discharge follow- up and breastfeeding
employment
support.
2. Train staff responsible on maternity services on
B. Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding
essential and emergency obstetric and newborn care
To become a Baby- Friendly Institution, the following are the
3. Educate the staff in non- drug methods of pain relief recommended steps to be followed by the health facilities
that can provide options in minimizing the use of according to the UNICEF/ WHO Global Criteria:
analgesics or anesthetic drugs
STEPS INDICATOR
4. Motivate and refer pregnant women for STD/ HIV/ 1. Development of a Implementation of a
AIDS screening and voluntary counseling and treatment written breastfeeding current breastfeeding
policy that is routinely protocol that has been
5. Provide the best available care, including quality communicated to all the communicated to all staff
antenatal, delivery, postpartum and newborn care with health care staff during orientation or during
timely referral department level meetings
2. Training of all health Schedule of staff that will
6. Birthing mother may be offered access to a birth care staff in skills attend in- service training
companion of her choice who can provide emotional and necessary to implement that teach the skills
physical support during labor the policy on necessary to implement the
breastfeeding within breastfeeding protocol
7. Birthing mothers may be allowed the freedom to the first six months
walk, move about and assume the positions of her upon entry into the
choice during labor and birth as a feasible option that hospital
shall not be limited to the lithotomy position
3. Providing information Written, non- commercial
8. Women may be allowed to drink during labor, upon to all pregnant women pre- natal information on
the discretion of the attending physician about the benefits and breastfeeding schedule of
management of parents referred to
9. The performance of obstetrical procedures shall be breastfeeding in the OPD breastfeeding classes/
rationalized to minimize or avoid unnecessary during pre- natal and in childbirth education classes
procedures and instrumentation that may inhibit the wards during the
breastfeeding postpartum period
o A baby born by Caesarian Section is less likely to
have early skin to skin contact and more likely to 4. Assisting mothers to Infant is placed on the
have nursery care increasing the risk of cross initiate breastfeeding mother’s chest to promote
infection as well as restricting breastfeeding within one hour after pre- feeding sequence of
o The option to perform invasive procedures such birth for normal behavior that leads to proper
as rupture of membranes, episiotomies, acceleration spontaneous deliveries latching and sucking
or induction of labor, instrumental deliveries or and within 3- 4 hours
caesarian section specifically required for a after birth for C/S
complication shall be governed by implementing deliveries
guidelines to be set by the National Management 5. Training mothers how to A breast pump should be
Committee based on the Global criteria on mother breastfeed and maintain available for expressing milk
friendly care lactation, even if they and milk is expressed at least
should be separated from eight times in 24 hours
10. Encourage all mothers and families with sick premature their infants.
newborns or infants with congenital problems, to touch, Provision for milk banking in
cuddle, breastfeed, and care for their babies to the the hospital facility for the
extent compatible with their condition collection and storage of
expressed breast milk
11. Encourage postpartum mothers to have at least two
postpartum visits
3. Never pass any samples or gifts to pregnant women, AIM OF THIS Target children ages 0 up to 5 years
mothers of infants and young children and members of their PROGRAM old
families that will undermine breastfeeding
OVERALL Achieve better health outcomes
4. Refrain from accepting or availing of any contribution made GOAL OF Sustained health financing
by the representatives if the milk industry for fellowships, THIS Responsive health system
study tours, research grants, attendance to professional PROGRAM By ensuring that all Filipinos especially the
conferences or the like, intended for the health workers or disadvantaged group (lowest 2 income
the management staff of the health facility quintiles) have equitable access to
affordable health care
5. Be aware that any form of support/logistics and other SPECIFIC Contribute to the reduction of infant and
incentives for health professionals and administrators OBJECTIVES child morbidity and mortality towards
working for infant and young child health should in no way OF THIS the attainment of MDG 1 and 4
create conflict of interest PROGRAM Ensure that all Filipino children,
especially the disadvantaged group
6. Ensure that the health facility is not used for the display, (Geographically Isolated and
dissemination and distribution of products within the scope Disadvantaged Areas), have equitable
of the Code access to affordable health, nutrition
and environment care
D. Capacity Building Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas
The trainers who have satisfactorily undergone the (GIDA)
prescribed 40 hours standard training with the National
2. MAGPABAKUNA (IMMUNIZATION)
The program recommends the infant to have complete
immunization by 1 year old
MMR vaccine is also recommended to be given in
children 1 year to 1 year and 3 months of age
3. MAGBITAMINA A (VITAMIN A)
Vitamin A administration is recommended every 6
months for children 6 months old to 5 year-olds
4. MAGPURGA (DE-WORMING)
Deworming is recommended every 6 months for
children 1-12 years of age
APPENDIX
NATIONAL OBJECTIVES OF MCH PROGRAM IN RELATION TO MDG 4 AND 5
2013 ASSESSMENT OF MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOAL 4
Appendix: Summary of the Strategies, Action Points, and Activities in the Promotion of Breastfeeding
STRATEGIES ACTION POINTS ACTIVITIES
A. Strengthen the TWG (technical working group) to allow it to
effectively coordinate the GOs and NGOs working for the
IYCF Program
1. PARTNERSHIPS WITH B. Organize functional Intervention Setting Committees (ad-
Action point 1:
NGOS AND GOS IN THE hoccommittee)
Formalize partnerships with GOs and
COORDINATION AND
NGOs working on IYCF program C. Return the MBFHI responsibility from NCHFD to NCDPC
IMPLEMENTATION OF
coordination and implementation D. Augment human resource complement of NCDPC- FHO, IYCF
THE IYCF PROGRAM
program
E. Programmed contracting out of activities to organizations
outside of DOH
A. Institutionalize the collection of Program Information Report
Action point 2.1:
(PIR) Data and generate annual performance report.
Institutionalize the IYCF monitoring
2. INTEGRATION OF KEY B. Maximize the use of the unified monitoring tool
and tracking system for national,
IYCF ACTION POINTS C. Collaborate with the National Epidemiology Center (NEC)
regional and LGU levels
IN THE MNCHN PLAN and Information Management Service (IMS) regarding IYCF
OF ACTION data
/STRATEGY Action point 2.2: A. Designate the IYCF Focal Person as a regular member
Participation of the IYCF of the team working for the development and implementation of
Focal person in MNCHN planning and the MNCHN Strategy
monitoring activities
Action Point 3.1 A. Devise and implement a consultation mechanism to bring
Consultation mechanism with the together the IAC, DOJ and other relevant GOs for IYCF related
Industry Advisory Council (IAC) and legislations and regulations
3. HARNESSING THE
DOJ for the enforcement of the Milk
EXECUTIVE ARM OF
Code and with other relevant GOs for
GOVERNMENT TO
other IYCF related legislations and
IMPLEMENT AND
regulations.
ENFORCE THE IYCF
RELATED A. Institutionalize enforcement of MBFHI compliance in the
LEGISLATIONS AND regulatory function of the DOH
REGULATIONS (EO 51, B. Review and improve the processing of reports on violations
Action Point 3.2:
RA 7200 AND RA on the Milk Code
Support Civil Society in the
10028) C. Invite the Professional Regulatory Board as a resource
implementation and enforcement of
agency of the IAC
IYCF related laws and regulations
D. Augment human resource of FDA as secretariat of the IAC
E. Engage professional societies to come-up with measures for
self monitoring and regulation
A. Set up Models of MBFHI and MNCHN implementation in key
strategic hospitals and referral networks
Action Point 4.1: Modeling the MBF B. Establish protocols/standards on how to set-up and maintain
system in the key intervention MBF workplaces and integrated in the standards for healthy
settings in selected regions workplace
C. Enhance the primary, secondary and tertiary education
curricula on IYCF
D. Develop policy on IYCF in emergencies and
guidelines on the management of malnutrition, and IYCF in
4. INTENSIFIED special medical conditions for the community
FOCUSED ACTIVITIES Action Point 4.2: A. Review and update the existing awarding system
TO CREATE AN Creation of a Regional and National B. Establish a recognition system for health facilities complying
ENVIRONMENT incentive and awarding systems for with EO51, RA10028 and the MBFHI National Policy
SUPPORTIVE TO IYCF the most outstanding IYCF
PRACTICES champions in the different sectors of
society.
A. Carry out an inventory of best practices on IYCF . Identify best
IYCF practices by allowing every province in the country to
Action Point 4.3 identify exemplary or creative activities on IYCF that boosted
Allocate/Raise /Seek resources for program services/performance. Validate the reports through
IYCF Research activities that CHDs and select the best practices for documentation and
document best practices in the publication.
Philippines B. Allocate resources and conduct IYCF related researches
focusing on the documentation and measure of impact of noble
experiences and interventions
OBJECTIVE 4: ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY OF INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE, PROTECT AND PROMOTE INFANT AND YOUNG
CHILD FEEDING
- Functional self-assessment health
facility tools for IYCF in certified MBFH and main Tool Drafted. Not yet institutionalized.
health centers
- Annual progress reports of status of implementation
1st IYCF PIR: 2007
of Milk Code, Rooming In and Breastfeeding Act,
ASIN Law, Food Fortification and ECCD Law / IYCF
2nd IYCF PIR: 2009
Policy
Key result of integration was
- IYCF integrated into Philippine Plan of Action for IYCF integrated in PPAN 2005-
the intensive training on IYCF
Nutrition and annual planning and health monitoring 2010. PIR was conducted last quarter
Counseling in AHMP target
systems at all levels of 2010.
areas.
Regular Presentations are offered by
- Periodic feedback of IYCF status during annual
DOH on IYCF status (2005:
conventions of health professionals/Leagues of
1st presentation during National
Provinces/ Cities/Municipalities and Barangays
Convention Liga Ng Barangay)
APPENDIX _. UNICEF VERSION OF THE CRITERIA
1. HAVE A WRITTEN BREASTFEEDING POLICY THAT IS ROUTINELY COMMUNICATED TO ALL HEALTH CARE STAFF.
WHO implemented a written policy in all areas of the breastfeeding facilities so that in situations of differences in opinions and
staff changes, the policies would still be effective? The written policy should contain appropriate policies on all practices
concerning breastfeeding agreed between relevant authorities and all staff and patients should be made aware of the policies.
This should also be available so that all staff that takes care of mothers and babies can refer to it. This should be visibly
posted in all areas of the health care facility (in languages understood by most patients and staff) which serve mothers,
infants and children. Together with this written policy, an institutional ban on acceptance of free or low cost supplies of
breast-milk substitutes, bottles, and teats and its distribution to mothers should be made effective.
2. TRAIN ALL HEALTH CARE STAFF IN SKILLS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY.
All health care staff who has any contact with mothers, infants and children must receive instructions on the implementation
of the breastfeeding policy. Breastfeeding and lactation management training (at least 18 hours in total with a minimum of 3
hours of supervised clinical experience) should be given to various types of staff including new employees. This training is
required for all the health care staff because this is necessary to increase their knowledge, skills, and attitudes to maximize
and improve breastfeeding promotion. The knowledge they acquired may later on be passed on to mothers.
3. INFORM ALL PREGNANT WOMEN ABOUT THE BENEFITS AND MANAGEMENT OF BREASTFEEDING.
If the hospital has an affiliated antenatal clinic or antenatal ward breastfeeding counseling should be given to most pregnant
women through those services. The counselling should include the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 4-6
months, the benefits of breastfeeding, and basic breastfeeding management.
4. HELP MOTHERS INITIATE BREASTFEEDING WITHIN A HALF-HOUR OF BIRTH.
Mothers in the maternity ward who have had normal vaginal deliveries should confirm that within a half-hour of birth they
were given their babies to hold with skin contact, for at least 30 minutes, and offered help by a staff member to initiate
breastfeeding, while mothers who have had caesarean deliveries should confirm that within a half-hour of being able to
respond, they were given their babies to hold with skin contact. Early initiation of breastfeeding increases the duration of
breastfeeding in the future. It allows skin-to-skin contact for warmth and colonization of baby with maternal organisms.
Lastly, this provides colostrum as the baby’s first immunization, and takes advantage of the first hour of alertness.
5. SHOW MOTHERS HOW TO BREASTFEED, AND HOW TO MAINTAIN LACTATION EVEN IF THEY SHOULD BE
SEPARATED FROM THEIR INFANTS.
Nursing staff should offer further assistance with breastfeeding within six hours of delivery and mothers should be taught how
to express their milk, as well as positioning and attachment techniques for manual milk expression.