OBJECTIVES
When you have completed this unit you should be able to:
- Describe baby friendly care.
- List the advantages of baby friendly care.
- Give examples of baby friendly care.
- Describe the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.
- Promote touch therapy.
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COPYRIGHT
All rights reserved. No part of this Perinatal Education Programme may be altered in any way, nor may copies of the complete Programme be made, without the written permission of the editorial board of the Perinatal Education Trust. To facilitate the improvement of perinatal care, however, parts of the Programme may be reproduced for teaching purposes provided due acknowledgement is given and the material is not sold for financial profit. While the advice and information in the Programme are believed to be accurate, the editorial board cannot accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions that may have been made.
ISBN 0 7992 2253 4
INTRODUCTION TO BABY FRIENDLY CARE
45-1 WHAT IS BABY FRIENDLY CARE?
This is the care of newborn infants where the needs of the infant and mother are placed before those of the hospital or clinic staff. Baby friendly care is also an attempt to look after the infant in a way that is as natural and humane as possible. As with mother friendly care, baby friendly care is good, evidence based care. The infant, parents and health workers all benefit from baby friendly care.
| BABY FRIENDLY CARE IS GOOD FOR THE INFANT, PARENTS AND HEALTH WORKERS |
45-2 WHY IS BABY FRIENDLY CARE IMPORTANT?
Because it is believed to be the best method of caring for infants in both poor and industrialised countries. Many routines of observation and management in infant care have been developed for sick or high risk infants and are not necessarily needed for well infants. These routines may even be harmful or dangerous to healthy infants. Each infant should be given the best and most appropriate care.
Baby friendly care is also important because it promotes bonding between parents and their infant.
45-3 WHAT IS MOTHER-INFANT BONDING?
This is the special, strong, emotional bond or attachment, which develops between a mother and her newborn infant. A similar bond is developed between the infant and father as well as other close family members. Bonding also occurs between an infant and the clinic or hospital staff, especially when a small infant spends many weeks or months in the nursery. Bonding is essential to ensure the good long term parental caring of a child. Therefore, every effort must be made to encourage and support this bonding process.
| BABY FRIENDLY CARE MUST BE PROMOTED AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY |
45-4 IS BABY FRIENDLY CARE NEW?
Although the principles of baby friendly care have been known and practiced in some places for many years, it has only been recently that the importance of baby friendly care has been appreciated and actively promoted. Unfortunately, many hospitals and clinics still do not provide baby friendly care.
45-5 IS BABY FRIENDLY CARE EXPENSIVE?
Almost all aspects of baby friendly care can be introduced at no or very little extra cost. Expensive equipment is not needed to provide baby friendly care. Because infants thrive with baby friendly care, hospital expenses and service costs are often reduced. Baby friendly care is cost effective because it is both good and cheap. All levels of care, from primary to tertiary, can be made baby friendly
45-6 WHY HAS BABY FRIENDLY CARE NOT ALWAYS BEEN USED?
Because of ignorance, selfishness or an inability to change. In the past it was not understood what was the best method of caring for newborn infants. Often staff and parents chose methods that were easiest for them. Even if better methods of caring for infants were known, it is difficult to change old habits and routines. Research studies have helped to identify which methods of care result in the best outcome for infants and their families.
45-7 WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS WITH BABY FRIENDLY CARE?
Some old routines and practices have to change if we are to give better care. Any change causes uncertainty, insecurity and resistance with parents, health workers and administrators. Many people do not like change, even if the change is to everyone’s benefit. Therefore, the main problem with the introduction of baby friendly care is to convince and support those who need to change. This is not always easy. Introducing baby friendly care requires vision, time, dedication and a lot of effort.
| INTRODUCING BABY FRIENDLY CARE IS OFTEN DIFFICULT AS HEALTH CARE WORKERS HAVE TO CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDES, BELIEFS AND PRACTICES |
45-8 SHOULD BABY FRIENDLY CARE ONLY APPLY TO WELL INFANTS?
No. Baby friendly care should be given to all infants as the principles of baby friendly care can be used for both well and sick or high risk infants.
45-9 WHEN SHOULD BABY FRIENDLY CARE BE USED?
Baby friendly care should be used, at all times. Baby friendly care has changed the way that infants are cared for immediately after delivery, in the nursery and postnatal ward, and after discharge home. All levels of care should be made baby friendly.
45-10 WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF BABY FRIENDLY CARE?
Whenever possible, the following examples of baby friendly care should be practiced:
- Keeping the mother and infant together after delivery.
- Immediate and exclusive breastfeeding.
- Discharging the mother and infant home as soon as possible.
- Using kangaroo mother care for low birth weight infants.
- Allowing open visiting by parents in the nursery.
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