Developing Implementation Plan

The world health organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) and amongst others approves absolute breastfeeding of infants for the first six months of life and to continue to their second birthday with supplemental feeds. Breast feeding is the art of feeding babies with natural milk from the female breast in providing all nutrients that a growing infant needs for the first six month of life. This act also creates bond between the baby and the mom. Breast milk is generally recognized as the utmost comprehensive form of nutrition for most babies, with a variety of benefits for their health, growth, immunity, and development (Healthy People, 2020). Most new mothers are faced with the problem of breast feeding and the decision on how to initiate breast feeding their infants and how to sustain the process. Mothers who just had their babies should be encouraged to make well-informed choice on breast feeding in a conducive environment. Professionals in the health team have moral obligation to guarantee that postpartum mothers are fully aware of the health concerns relative to the decision of feeding their infant. Globally, breast milk has been the best nutrient for infants. When a mother decides to breastfeed her baby, nurses should guard and assist the mom’s decision by providing an atmosphere that enables her to succeed (Galson, 2009).
Methods of Obtaining Necessary Approval
Making a presentation of the study project to the managers and director of Women’s Services department is the foremost step. Presentation materials such as handout, posters, and pamphlet and power points slide indicating the department breastfeeding statistics in comparison to the national statistics and the aims of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). Existing practices and its negative effect on breastfeeding rates will be talked about. Proposed solution presentation, along with evidence showing how these will positively influence exclusive breastfeeding commencement, length of feeding, and rates among nursing mothers in postpartum. Following the first meeting, another conference will be arranged with the Leader of obstetrics department, family practice, and pediatrics to get the physicians along. A meeting with the hospital administrators is also essential to get endorsement based on the budget for the implementation. Information on the project will be made known to other staff, when it has been approved.
Description of the Current Problem The statistics of breast feeding in Women’s Hospital is 4% based on data collected, 4% percent of total delivery in comparison to the national average of 75 percent. From this data, 75 percent are on supplemented formula preceding hospital discharge. No information on exclusive breast feeding rate at six months, those who breast feed their infants exclusively at discharge was at 12.6%. This is low compared to the national average of exclusive rate at six months is 44.3 percent and breastfeeding rate of up to one year is 23.8 percent (Center For Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). Healthy people 2020 objective for breastfeeding commencement rate 81.9 percent; absolute breastfeeding rate at six months 25.5 percent; and breastfeeding up to one year 34.1 percent (Healthy People 2020, 2012).
The fundamental reason for low breastfeeding rates is associated with the nursing care originating in the labor and delivery suite. With the existing method of care, following delivery of infants, they are usually placed under the beaming heater separating infants from mom. After restoration, the infants are handed over to their mommies in a well draped blanket for a temporary period before they are taken to the nursery for some hours. Most of these babies are fed with formula while in nursery, and pacifiers are given to others before they are given back to their moms. Absence of reassurance from health care professionals