What does BFHI mean in HEALTHCARE

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global program that was launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in 1991. It encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. This includes practices such as helping mothers to initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth, showing mothers how to breastfeed, and allowing mothers and babies to remain together 24 hours per day.

The primary benefit of the BFHI program is to encourage and support breastfeeding as a healthy way to feed infants. Studies have found that babies who are exclusively breastfed through six months old have greater immunity, better nutrient absorption, fewer health problems such as allergies, diabetes, obesity, etc., higher IQs in later life, and closer mother-infant bonding. In addition to health benefits for the baby, there are many advantages for the mother including easier labour and recovery time shortening due to postpartum hormones released during breastfeeding that speed up healing after delivery.

Any birth facility--including hospitals, birthing centers, or midwifery practices--that serves women during pregnancy, labour or birth can seek accreditation with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. However, facilities must meet certain criteria before being granted certification from WHO/UNICEF accreditation board. These criteria include fully implementing ten steps towards successful breastfeeding outlined by WHO/UNICEF as well as evidence of working towards achieving these steps in order to maintain certification status.

To become accredited by WHO/UNICEF under the BFHI program a facility must fulfill all 10 steps related to successful breastfeeding outlined by WHO/UNICEF which include informing pregnant women about benefits and management of breastfeeding; helping mothers initiate breastfeeding soon after birth; teaching women how to breastfeed their baby; offering advice on appropriate infant feeding; promoting exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months; respecting mother’s choice after 6 months of age; providing assistance for continued successful lactation even following hospital discharge; ensuring no supplementation unless medically indicated; protecting mother’s privacy when feeding their children; no artificial nipples encouraged during hospital stay or given as pacifiers or gifts upon discharge.

It typically takes between 8-12 months from registration at the relevant national level for facilities applying for an initial assessment for Baby Friendly Accreditation until they receive official certification from WHO/UNICEF once they have successfully completed all necessary criteria requirements set out by them. During this time period usually two external assessors visit the facility twice firstly assess readiness against standards followed up by implementation review phase where compliance is verified against evidence presented.

Yes! Many health care facilities align themselves with other initiatives in order to create an environment supportive of both infants' nutrition and their overall wellness. A number of programs like “Skin To Skin Care” use evidence-based techniques aimed at improving outcomes related to newborn comfort, stability & temperature control while also helping build strong parent child relationships right after birth.

Healthcare professionals should promote BFHI activities in their practice due its proven track record in improving infant welfare outcomes such newborn survival rates ,increased immunization coverage , reduction in rates childhood obesity and most importantly greater parenting satisfaction levels leading to significant cost savings when compared across interventions . All this makes BFHI appear as one great investment option towards healthier future generations within limited resources.