A Baby Friendly Initiative Systematic Review, Essay Example

A Baby Friendly Initiative systematic review in obstetrical unit would involve giving attention to babies who are born with health complications. This entails a systematic review on the contribution of breastfeeding which is linked to higher outcomes on short term as well as long term.  A Baby Friendly Initiative systematic review leads to the assessment of cost-effectiveness of applicable interventions which are responsible for inhibiting or promoting breast feeding to the new born babies on admission in the hospital neonatal unit (Haiek, 2012). It is widely accepted that, great emphasis should be given to breastfeeding in the initial six months of the child’s life which translates to short term as well as long term implications on the health status of the child. However, the rates of breastfeeding have been significantly low compared to the anticipated average. Breastfeeding also improves maternal health and it is also associated with financial sustainability.

The relevant modification of systematic review to make breastfeeding as a project more appealing would entail encouragement of kangaroo approach to skin-to-skin contact between the baby and the mother, promotion of peer support, breast milk conducted simultaneously with pumping, multidisciplinary training among the members of staff as well as Baby Friendly accreditation in the maternity unit (Renfrew, Craig & Dyson, 2009). The systematic review would also entail promotion of skilled support by the trained hospital staff which is associated with cost effectiveness. The interventions may not be effective when applied in isolation. The use of Baby Friendly Initiative leads to an increase in total infants who are supplied with breast milk in their initial stages and a corresponding increase in the time period for exclusive breastfeeding.

References

Haiek, L. N., (2012). Measuring compliance with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Public Health Nutrition. 15(5):894–905.

Renfrew, M., Craig, D, & Dyson, L., (2009). Breastfeeding promotion for infants in neonatal units: a systematic review and economic analysis. Health Technol Assess 13(40).