Standards
  • All breastfeeding mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed exclusively for around six months.*
  • All breastfeeding mothers should be informed about the appropriate age for introducing complementary foods and drinks, alongside breastmilk.
  • All health-care staff with the responsibility for caring for new mothers and babies should be aware of the appropriate age for introducing complementary foods and drinks, and be able to describe why these are not recommended before six months.
  • All health-care staff with the responsibility for caring for new mothers and babies should be able to state correctly for how long breastfeeding is beneficial to mothers and babies.
  • No promotion for infant food or drink other than breastmilk should be displayed or distributed to mothers or staff in or by the facility.
Assessment
Requirements at Stage 1:
  • The head of service to provide written confirmation that there is no promotion for infant food or drink other than breastmilk allowed in the health-care facility.
  • A written description of the mechanism for ensuring that breastfeeding mothers are encouraged to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and informed about the appropriate age for introducing complementary foods and drinks.
Requirements at Stage 2:
  • Staff with responsibility for supporting breastfeeding mothers and babies to:
    • give a satisfactory explanation of why complementary foods and drinks are not recommended before six months;
    • demonstrate a knowledge that breastfeeding is beneficial for at least a year.

Requirements at Stage 3:

  • Mothers to confirm that they have been encouraged to breastfeed exclusively for around six months;
  • Mothers to confirm that they have been informed about the appropriate age for introducing complementary foods and drinks.
  • No promotion of infant food or drink other than breastmilk to be found anywhere in the health-care facility.

* It should be noted that encouragement to breastfeed for six months needs to be underpinned by information that will enable the mother to achieve this; i.e. Points 3 and 4.

 

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