Tips for Breastfeeding Success

1.        Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.

2.        Train all health care staff in the skills necessary to implement this policy.

3.        Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.

4.        Help the mother initiate breastfeeding within a half hour of birth.

5.        Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants.

6.        Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk unless medically indicated.

7.        Practice rooming-in; 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.