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While you may expect that these basic guidelines are followed carefully in facilities in our country, it is often not the case. Every facility providing maternity services and care for newborn infants should:
1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.
3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within half an hour of birth.
5. Show mothers how to breastfeed, and how to maintain lactation even if they should be separated from their infants.
6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
7. Practice rooming-in - that is, allow mothers and infants to remain together - 24 hours a day.
8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
9. Give no artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to breastfeeding infants.
10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly supports breastfeeding of infants for one year. For the complete text for the American Academy of Pediatrics statement
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You can help breastfeeding be well established from birth. Many facilities do not follow WHO guidelines listed on the left. Every expectant mother can plan to insure she reaches her goal with breastfeeding by:
1. Including breastfeeding in your birth plan, discus with health care providers during pregnancy
2. Encourage your support people/family to accept and support you in your decision.
3. Understanding the basic management of breastfeeding. What makes milk?
4. Initiating breastfeeding immediately after birth or as soon as mother and baby are stable.
5. Utilize professional lactation consultant services at the hospital or arrange for a home visit during the first week.
6. Colostrum is very concentrated and precious. It is perfect for your newborn.
7. Practice rooming-in - stay close to your baby - 24 hours a day. Both of you will rest better.
8. Encourage breastfeeding on request– at any sign of wanting to breastfeed. Practice makes perfect.
9. Give no bottle nipples or pacifiers to your breastfeeding baby.
10. Attend breastfeeding support prenatally and after discharge from the hospital or clinic. Continue surrounding yourself with women that are breastfeeding!! The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly supports breastfeeding of infants for one year.
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