Abstract
Dear Editor:
I write in response to the editorial by Arthur Eidelman, “A Critical Review of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Is in the Works.” 1 I offer these thoughts as a general pediatrician who actually works on a Mother Baby Unit at a hospital that has been Baby-Friendly certified for 19 years.
First, I wish to clarify the misleading quote about rooming in: “… that in order to comply with the numbers for the BFHI certification, hospitals force mothers to do rooming in when they choose not to.” We do not and never have forced any mothers to do anything. We educate and then honor choice. It is a shame that Dr. Eidelman perpetuated that false claim.
Second, I had a laugh-out-loud moment when I read the statement that there is a push by some hospitals to go after Baby-Friendly designation for marketing purposes. Oh, if only that statement was true. Because it involves so much change, getting this award is hard work. The weary frontline warriors would certainly welcome administrative support such as this, but that is not something I have ever seen.
Third, in response to the opinionated review 2 cited by Dr. Eidelman, Baby-Friendly is a bundle of care, not individual steps. The research is clear that Baby-Friendly works.3–6
The hospital where I work, Boston Medical Center, is a much different place than when we started our Baby-Friendly journey in 1997. Formula reps no longer roam the halls handing out marketing propaganda disguised as gifts. Policies protect the right of mothers to be with their newborns. Nurses and providers are well trained in lactation medicine (and that has made a big difference). Exclusive breastfeeding rates increased seven- to eightfold and our care for mothers who choose to formula feed improved as well. And, it appears that families love the care we provide, as births skyrocketed from 1600 to 3000 per year.
Footnotes
Disclosure Statement
Dr. Philipp receives grant funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.