Status of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in Neonatal Units.

Neonatal unit is more vulnerable and critical ward than any others. To assure breastfeeding in neonatal unit is one of the ways to reduce child morbidity and mortality. Baby friendly hospital initiative is the best method in hospital setting to assure breastfeeding. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from July 2014 to December 2014 to find out the Status of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in neonatal unit of different public hospitals. The study area was consisting of several tertiary level hospitals in Dhaka city. Study was done in those hospital where declared as Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. Total 137 data was collected from care givers (70) and healthcare providers (67). From hospital data it was found that all children discharged for last month were exclusively breastfed. Written breastfeeding policy was present in all hospitals but out of 67 staffs only 28(41.48%) staffs received training which was not fulfillment of the requirement of Global Criteria of UNICEF/WHO (BFHI External Assessment and Reassessment). In step 5 only 21(31.34%) staffs show or offered help for breastfeeding. In step 6 and 9 there were 100% fulfill the requirements, no teats and pacifier was found, no use of foods or drinks except medications. Nurses were co-operative but due to lack of training and motivation they were not fully aware about the importance of breastfeeding.