Table 1

The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding [36]

Every facility providing maternity services and care for newborn infants should:

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

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

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

4. Help all mothers initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth.

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

6. Give newborn infants no food or drink unless medically indicated.

7. Practice rooming in: allow mothers and infants to stay together 24 hours a day.

8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand.

9. Give no artificial teats or pacifiers.

10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge.

Arnold International Breastfeeding Journal 2006 1:26   doi:10.1186/1746-4358-1-26