Mt Hope aims for ‘baby friendly’ status

The Mt Hope Women’s Hospital (MHWH) has instituted a ban on the advertisement of milk substitutes and use of artificial nipples and pacifiers as the facility strives to be named a “baby friendly” hospital by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and World Health Organisation. This is no small feat since only 16,000 facilities worldwide have achieved this status. While the Sangre Grande Hospital can boast of being the first local facility to achieve “baby friendly” status, MHWH is aggressively working to get accreditation before the end of this year. Dr Jennifer Delamore, consultant at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, said that in order to attain baby friendly status, MHWH must implement ten steps which cover policy development, staff training, helping mothers initiate breastfeeding, and allowing mothers and babies to remain together for 24 hours. 

She said a study conducted by students at the Faculty of Medical Sciences revealed a 40 percent exclusive breastfeeding rate on discharge of patients. This has increased to 83 percent, but Delamore said the aim is to get the exclusive breastfeeding rate up to 95 percent. Exclusive breastfeeding means that the baby will not be fed other forms of food for the first six months of life. The first of the ten steps is putting a written breastfeeding policy in place which will be disseminated among staff. In an interview on Tuesday at the MHWH, Dr Delamore said the North Central Regional Health Authority has developed its policy. She said staff has been trained to teach mothers how to breastfeed, the benefits, and how to maintain lactation if they must be separated from their baby.

Delamore said the baby friendly initiative began when MHWH was under the North West Regional Health Authority, but after the separation, North Central and North West are working with their respective facilities. She said a massive sensitisation programme has been taking place for staff. Another step is encouraging mothers and babies to “room in” together for 24 hours to initiate early breastfeeding bonding between mother and child. Delamore said fathers can be part of the birth experience. This practice was not established policy, however, and did not occur regularly. Few fathers were prepared to attend the delivery, and their attendance at Lamaze classes was irregular. She said the involvement of fathers would help mothers during delivery and help with the promotion of breastfeeding afterwards. The policy is for breastfeeding to start within 30 minutes of delivery. Staff shortages had impacted on the ability of midwives to assist with this policy because they were often called away for another delivery.

Since breastfeeding has been put on the front burner, more fathers have become involved. Delamore said more fathers were attending antenatal clinics and outpatient clinics. They were also more visible in the neonatal unit. She said specially designed feeding cups are being used for those babies who, due to their prematurity, cannot be breastfed because their mothers have not beuan producing milk. These babies are fed formula until milk supply occurs. Mothers are taught how to stimulate milk supply or are given medication to assist the process. Delamore said a cup is used to prevent “nipple confusion” when mothers are ready to begin breastfeeding. Infants with HIV - positive mothers who are not prepared to exclusively breastfeed are also cup fed. Creating an environment to support breastfeeding at MHWH is also a priority.

Delamore said a breastfeeding room will be established at the outpatient department “so staff members returning from maternity leave can express their breast milk, or they could breastfeed if someone brings their child to them.” Women attending the outpatient clinic will have access to the room. A screen will be put in the Neonatal Unit for those mothers who may feel shy about breastfeeding. The MHWH will be hosting an open day on November 24 to generate enthusiasm and motivate staff and the public about the breastfeeding initiative. The event coincides with the celebration of the facility’s silver anniversary which takes place the next day. Delamore said a competition to name the most baby-friendly ward will take place. Prizes will be awarded as well as medals for staff. Cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar testing will be available. Information booths will be set up by the National AIDS Coordinating Committee, The Informative Breastfeeding Service (TIBS), and Family Planning Association.

Delamore said MHWH will be distributing bracelets from the La Leche Foundation to encourage people to support breastfeeding. She said BP and Siemens have agreed to sponsor 1,000 each. A billboard will be erected showing the drive for baby friendly status. Unicef officials will conduct an intense assessment next month to determine if MHWH should be accredited.

Breastfeeding benefits
Delamore said breastfed babies thrive better and grow faster. Breastmilk acts as a “passive injection,” protecting against cough and colds, and gastrointestinal infection. Babies have better skin and are less likely to get asthma and have a lower risk of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and ear infections. Each mother’s breastmilk has antibodies to protect her babies against diseases, to which she has been exposed. She said breastfed babies have better teeth and a lower possibility of requiring braces in the future. They do not get constipated as babys fed formula do.

Delamore said breastfed babies are “more intelligent.” She based this comment on the reports that the lactose in breast milk helped babies’ brain development.  She said the benefits for the mother included protection against osteoporosis, and weight loss, as mothers are more likely to revert to their pre-pregnancy state, the uterus shrinks back to normal and this helps stop blood loss and reduces the chance of developing anemia. “Breastfeeding is convenient and economical — it is free.” The country can also benefit if more mothers breastfeed.  Delamore said this occurs because less hours of work are lost due to mothers taking time off to care for sick children, and a reduction in loss of earnings from visiting a doctor for treatment.