Aster Medcity gets MBFHI (Mother and Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative) Accreditation

The rate of exclusive breast feeding for the first six months of life in Kerala has declined to 59.5 %by the NFHS 5 (National Family Health Survey 5) 2019-20. Hence the urgent need for revamping the earlier BFHI movement as MBFHI in the state to improve breastfeeding rates and reduce infant morbidity.

It is well known that non-breastfed child in developing countries is 14 times more likely to die in the first six months than an exclusively breastfed child.

As a part of this initiative, Aster Medcity created MBFHI committee that oversees that the hospital breastfeeding policy is implemented. A full-time lactation counsellor explains need for breastfeeding to all pregnant women antenatally and after the baby is born; and conducts regular breastfeeding promotion classes for all staff including non-doctor groups.

Neonatologists, pediatricians, obstetricians and other specialists and staff nurses are proactive to achieve cent percent compliance. A functional Aster breastfeeding support group of mothers, who successfully breastfed their babies, provide women and their families with timely and accurate information, as well as practical and emotional support to promote optimal breastfeeding.

"We firmly believe that breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants, providing protection from morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases and chronic diseases later in life. We insist on exclusive breastfeeding, starting within one hour of birth and for the first 6 months of life, with continued breastfeeding to 2 years of age and beyond. Our rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months by mothers who delivered in house was 78.3%", said Dr. Jeeson Unni, Senior Consultant Pediatrician, Aster Medcity, Kochi.