Department Overview

What Is a “Baby-Friendly Hospital”?

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global movement launched in 1991 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. Its purpose is to create a healthcare environment where breastfeeding is the standard practice, giving every infant the best possible start in life.

The Joint WHO/UNICEF Statement on Breastfeeding and Maternity Services serves as the guiding principle of Baby-Friendly Hospitals. Maternity institutions and hospitals that meet the key points outlined in this joint statement are designated as “Baby-Friendly Hospitals.” This designation raises public awareness, supports appropriate infant feeding practices, and respects every mother’s right to breastfeed.

The Ten Steps to Successful Baby-Friendly Practices

Ideally, a truly Baby-Friendly Hospital should meet the following ten criteria:

1. The hospital has a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all healthcare staff.

2. All healthcare staff are trained in the skills necessary to implement this policy.

3. All pregnant women are informed about the benefits of breastfeeding and how to breastfeed.

4. The hospital supports breastfeeding immediately after birth, assisting mothers to begin skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding within 30 minutes of delivery to increase success rates.

5. Healthcare staff teach mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation if they must be separated from their infants.

6. Infants are given no food or drink other than breast milk unless medically indicated, including water, glucose water, or formula.

7. The hospital practices 24-hour rooming-in.

8. Mothers are encouraged to breastfeed on demand, without restrictions on timing or frequency.

9. No artificial nipples or pacifiers are given to breastfeeding infants.

10. The hospital helps mothers establish breastfeeding support groups and refers mothers to these groups upon discharge.

Baby-Friendly Implementation Programs

Prenatal Clinics

• Educate pregnant women and their families on the importance of breastfeeding and provide related consultations.

• Encourage participation in prenatal parent–child education classes.

Delivery Room

• Initiate breastfeeding immediately after birth on the delivery table, allowing the newborn to locate and recognize the mother’s breast.

• Educate mothers on the benefits of early breastfeeding.

Postpartum Ward

• Four hours after delivery, if the mother is willing and the pediatrician confirms that the newborn’s condition is stable, rooming-in may begin.

• If the baby cannot breastfeed immediately due to medical or other reasons, nursing staff will guide the mother on expressing and storing breast milk for future use.

Nursery

• Breastfeeding time and frequency are not restricted; feeding is based on the infant’s needs.

• To prevent nipple confusion, pacifiers are not provided. When breastfeeding is not possible and medically necessary, cup feeding or dropper feeding is used.

Hospital-Wide Policy

• Vendors are strictly prohibited from promoting or distributing formula, bottles, or pacifiers within the hospital.

Support System

• During hospitalization, feeding plans are discussed with the mother.

• Follow-up telephone calls are conducted at one week and one month postpartum to assess breastfeeding and infant care.

• With the mother’s consent, referrals to the local health bureau are made for continued support when needed.

Breastfeeding Consultation Hotline

• Hotline: 0906-495-044

Baby-Friendly Operational Workflow

Taipei Veterans General Hospital Hsinchu Branch – Baby-Friendly Hospital Procedures

Promoting Early Breastfeeding

• (1) For mothers participating in rooming-in, procedures are explained upon admission to the delivery room.

• (2) Once the newborn’s vital signs are stable and after pediatric assessment, the infant begins rooming-in.

• (3) If the infant cannot feed temporarily, nursing staff will teach the mother how to express and collect breast milk within six hours after delivery for later feeding.

• Assist mothers in understanding reasons for not breastfeeding and provide appropriate support.

• Provide accurate breastfeeding information whenever interacting with mothers, addressing concerns about insufficient milk and encouraging breastfeeding.

• Provide comfortable breastfeeding positions, such as seated positions with cushions or C-shaped pillows; side-lying positions are also supported with pillows.

• Breastfeeding-related posters are available in the wards, with explanations and Q&A provided by nursing staff.

• Bottles, pacifiers, and formula are not provided. If direct breastfeeding is not possible, cup or dropper feeding is explained.

• Breastfeeding is not time-restricted; mothers are encouraged to feed on demand.

• Staff receive at least 4 hours of in-service breastfeeding education every two years.

• Units maintain breastfeeding reference materials and procedure manuals.

• All staff strictly implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.

• Breastfeeding consultation hotline: 0906-495-044

Baby-Friendly Health Education Area

(Please refer to the Breastfeeding Guide – opens in a new window)

Topics include:

• Hospital breastfeeding support policy

• Benefits of rooming-in

• Rooming-in practices

• Benefits of breastfeeding

• Importance of immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth

• Definition of mother–infant skin-to-skin contact

• Importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months

• Principles of successful breastfeeding

• When and how to hand-express breast milk

• How to stimulate the let-down reflex

• Dietary principles and nutrition recommendations during lactation

• Foods that promote milk production

• Correct and incorrect infant latch indicators

• Breastfeeding positions

• How to recognize infant hunger cues

• Determining adequate milk intake

• Breast milk storage guidelines

• Breastfeeding for working mothers

• Managing breast engorgement

• Care for sore, cracked, or damaged nipples

• Signs of insufficient milk intake

• Correct removal of the nipple from the infant’s mouth

• Guidelines for introducing complementary foods

• Breastfeeding contraindications

• Breastfeeding FAQs

• Breastfeeding consultation hotline and support groups

Rooming-In Procedures

(I) Purpose

To encourage breastfeeding and rooming-in during postpartum hospitalization by providing a safe breastfeeding environment, reducing fear of infant infection, and fostering a baby-friendly atmosphere.

(II) Applicable Units

Delivery room, nursery, and postpartum ward nursing staff.

I. Infection Control Principles for Rooming-In

1. When infants are brought to the postpartum ward, nursing staff provide education to mothers and families on rooming-in precautions and infection control.

2. Mothers and family members must wash hands before touching the baby.

3. Family members with respiratory infections should avoid contact with the baby or wear a mask. Mothers with respiratory infections may continue breastfeeding while wearing a mask, as breast milk provides protection.

4. Mothers must wash hands before breastfeeding.

5. Handwashing is required after diaper changes.

6. Rooming-in rooms must be separated from other patient rooms.

7. Healthcare staff must wash hands before entering the room.

8. Visitors with household members infected with enterovirus should refrain from visiting the infant.

9. Smoking, betel nut chewing, and loud talking are prohibited in the ward.

II. Rooming-In Implementation

1. The hospital implements 24-hour rooming-in. Each morning at 7:30 a.m., infants are taken to the nursery for bathing and medical care and returned to the mother by 8:30 a.m.

2. After physician evaluation and maternal consent, rooming-in begins. Families assist by recording feeding amounts and urine/stool output. Infant daily supplies (diapers, wipes, etc.) are delivered to the bedside.

3. Nursing staff conduct bedside rounds and provide guidance and assistance as needed.

4. Rooming-in may be terminated at any time if the infant’s condition changes or if the mother experiences discomfort.

III. Safety Measures for Rooming-In

1. If the infant is placed on the bed, ensure a flat surface and raise the bed rail to prevent falls.

2. Adequate lighting is required during nighttime feedings.

3. The infant must remain within the mother’s sight at all times (including bathroom use). If leaving briefly, place the infant with nursing staff at the nurse station.

4. Do not hand the infant to anyone other than family members or familiar nursing staff. For assistance, use the nurse call bell.

IV. Safe Sleep Environment

• Mother and baby room together but sleep in separate beds.

Related Information

Breast milk is best. Our hospital supports breastfeeding and prohibits the use or promotion of breast milk substitutes (formula, bottles, pacifiers) and vendor marketing. A 24-hour breastfeeding consultation hotline (0906-495-044) is available. To support continued breastfeeding for postpartum women and hospital staff, private and comfortable breastfeeding spaces are provided. For details, please contact the Obstetrics and Gynecology ward.