The effect of implementation of baby-friendly hospital policies inpostpartum services on breastfeeding in the first 2 YEARS

Introduction: The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a quality improvement program that aims to improve breastfeeding in all aspects. BFHI applications have been shown to increase the success of breastfeeding. Although most of the hospitals in our country are BFH (Baby-FriendlyHospitalss), breastfeeding rates are far behind the targets. Objective: The aim of our study is to determine the breastfeeding rates in the first two years of babies born in our hospital, where BFHI policies are implemented. (and to evaluate the relationship between breastfeeding rates and the factors affecting it). Materials and Methods: Information was collected by retrospectively scanning the files of 2645 babies with a gestational age of 35 weeks and above, who were born in our hospital and followed up in the Neonatal Service between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017, and then contacted their families. Results:During the first 6 months, 43.4% of the babies were fed only with breast milk, 17.5% with breast milk and water, 38.5% with mixed, and 0.6% with only formula milk. 44.6% of the babies were breastfed for 24 months or more. Our breastfeeding rates were found to be quite high compared to the general of our country. Conclusion:The greater an institution's compliance with the BFHI ("Ten Steps") practice, the greater the rates of initiation and longer breastfeeding durations. Ensuring a certain level throughout the country by integrating BFHI into national policies and programs, continuous monitoring and effective control of the quality of care will contribute to the attainment of breastfeeding rates to the desired levels. Keywords : Breastfeeding, Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, Ten Steps, the Code.