Best Practices for Breastfeeding

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Breastfeeding Promotion Guidelines for Hospitals

1. Encourage breastfeeding on demand
2. Encourage breastfeeding both day and night
3. Written policy allowing 24-hour rooming-in
4. No routine orders for anti-lactation drugs
5. No water or glucose water given to breastfed babies except in special circumstances
6. No formula given to breastfed babies except in special circumstances
7. No pacifiers used with breastfed babies
8. Designated Lactation Coordinator in place
9. First breastfeeding in delivery or recovery room
10. No test bottle given
11. Breastfeeding assessment on care plan
12. Breastfeeding assessed and documented on every shift
13. Additional information on breastfeeding given to all breastfeeding mothers while in hospital
14. No timing of breastfeeding sessions
15. No formula discharge packs given to mothers of breastfed babies
16. All breastfeeding women taught: position and latch-on, strategies to promote successful breastfeeding, signs nursing is going well, common concerns, and other topics
17. Hospital has good source of breastfeeding information for mothers (not formula company literature or videos)
18. Breastfeeding instruction sheet provided at time of discharge
19. Breast pumps and breaks provided for breastfeeding staff
20. Mothers supported at discharge with at least two follow-up services (e.g. peer counselors, phone consultation, referral to La Leche group)
21. Arrange for breastfeeding home visit and/or telephone contact with all breastfeeding mothers, provided by staff or peer counselor soon after discharge from hospital.

NYSDOH - January 2002

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