The Impact of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative on Breastfeeding Practices in Ilesa

Abstract

Background: Information on the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) appears to be limited to tertiary health facilities to which most women lack access. Similar information on . the initiative from non-tertiary health establishments should also be useful

Objective: To compare breastfeeding practices of mothers in Ilesa, with their exposure to the BFHI.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey. Mothers of children aged from birth to 24 months were interviewed using an open-ended questionnaire. Their awareness of the BFHI and previous contacts with u “Baby Friendly” hospital were compared with the time of commencement of breastfeeding, pre-lacteal feeding, exclusive breastfeeding and age of their children at the commencement of complementary feeding and at cessation of breastfeeding.

Results: Out of the 262 mothers studied, 200 (76.3 percent) were aware of the baby friendly initiative (BFI). One hundred and four mothers (39.7 percent) had had contact with a “Baby Friendly." hospital. Previous contact with a “Baby Friendly” hospital was associated with the commencement of breast feeding within one hour of birth (p=0.000000), lower rate of pre lacteal feeding (p=0.000000) and higher rate of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life (p=0.000005). Mothers who were aware of the BFI but had no contact with a “Baby Friendly” hospital had significantly lower incidence of commencement of breastfeeding within one hour of birth (p=0.00000) and exclusive breastfeeding (p=0.00006) compared with those , who had contact with a “Baby Friendly Hospital. 

Conclusion: Previous contact with a “Baby Friendly” hospital confers an advantage in terms of appropriate breastfeeding practices. The involvement of the communities in the BFI may further enhance these practices.