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Journal of Human Lactation
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A Descriptive Study of Breastfeeding Practices and Policies in Missouri Hospitals

Georganne P. Syler, PhD

Southeast Missouri State University, Department of Human Environmental Studies, Dietetics, One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 USA.

Paul Sarvela, PhD

Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development; Department of Health Education and Recreation at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Kathleen Welshimer, PhD

Department of Health Education and Recreation, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Sara Long Anderson, PhD, RD

Department of Animal Sciences; Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

All Missouri hospitals that offer maternity services were assessed to measure their compliance with WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). Representatives from seventy six hospitals responded to a telephone survey relating to hospital breastfeeding practices and policies as defined by BFHI's Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. No hospital fully supported the Ten Steps. Compliance with the WHO/UNICEF criteria varied greatly. The least support was for Step 1, only 28% of hospitals had a written breastfeeding policy that was communicated to all staff. The greatest support was for Step 3, 93% of hospitals had staff who informed all pregnant women of breastfeeding benefits. In order to increase breastfeeding rates and duration, administrators of hospitals that offer maternity services must increase their efforts to consistently implement the Ten Steps, to become more baby friendly, and to more fully establish a breastfeeding culture within their institutions.

Key Words: breastfeeding • BFHI • hospital practice and policy

Journal of Human Lactation, Vol. 13, No. 2, 103-107 (1997)
DOI: 10.1177/089033449701300209
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