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. 2014 Aug 13;9(8):e104820. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104820

Table 1. Baby Friendly Health Initiative Composite Measure Components.

Baby Friendly Hospital Practices Corresponding question(s) used to construct Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Composite measure
Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth. Baby spent 1st hour in mother's arms.
Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants. Hospital staff helped get started breastfeeding.
Hospital staff showed how to position baby for breastfeeding.
Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated. Hospital staff did not provide water or formula supplements.
Practice “rooming in”—allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours per day. Baby roomed with mother.
Encourage breastfeeding on demand. Hospital staff encouraged breastfeeding on demand.
Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants. Hospital staff did not give baby a pacifier.
Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic. Hospital staff told about breastfeeding resources in the community.
Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding. Not Applicable
Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff. Not Applicable
Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy. Not Applicable