Listening and learning

......to move Baby Friendly forward

Its been quite a journey!

Essential for successful breastfeeding in 1938!

A desire to nurse A stabilised nervous system Freedom from worry or pain A well formed breast with an adequate blood supply Vigorous sucking on part of the infant Feeding at regular intervals

Mayes midwifery 1938

Let’s not forget. . .

Adverts in health services

Purpose of the UK Baby Friendly Initiative

To improve practice within

the health care system in

order to increase

breastfeeding rates and so

improve child and maternal

health.

BFI success Skin contact widely practiced

Mothers and babies stay together

Baby led feeding promoted

Health professional skills improved

Decreased advertising in health service

Enhanced partnership working

Do you agree that Baby Friendly has

influenced breastfeeding

practice?

Promotion or pressure?

We have been listening

Lead’s Role

How BFI helped

Framework Evidence based Training Guidance / advice Liaison with other areas Friendship and support A listening ear

Challenges. . . Embedding sustainable

change

Antenatal information giving

Stressful assessments

Connecting with women

Keeping staff motivated

A changing service

“Congratulations, it’s a midwife!”

Is antenatal information a challenge for you?

Is it difficult to keep yourself and others

motivated?

What women want

Realistic expectations

Emotional aspects

Partner included

Peer support input

Women centred

What leads are suggesting...

Greater focus on outcomes

Assessments to support

growth

Importance of nurturing

Support with communication

Remember also. . .

‘A bee shouldn’t be able to fly:

it’s body is too heavy for it’s

wings. But the bumblebee

doesn’t know this and it flies

very well’

(Conger 1991)

Feelings of failure

Love matters

Early loving experiences

are important to enable a

baby to develop his or her

full potential

“My life was really, really dull. The only thing that really stands out is the birth of my children. That’s the only thing that has happened to me ever.”

“So that’s about it’ Ann

Do you agree that more can be done

to support the mother/baby relationship?

Building on our success

Holistic, woman-centred approach

Mother baby relationship at the core

Greater emphasis on sustaining

breastfeeding

Support with communication skills

Assessment more outcome-focused

Improved care for bottle feeding

Greater involvement of neonatal units

Anyone feeling nervous right now -

wondering what this means for

you?

Anyone feeling excited ?

Do you agree that Baby Friendly has

influenced breastfeeding

practice?

Is antenatal information a challenge for you?

Is it difficult to keep yourself and others

motivated?

Do you agree that more can be done

to support the mother/baby relationship?

Where would you like to see Baby Friendly going in

the future?

Thank you

Don’t forget to complete your blue cards and post them in the marked boxes