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EXPLORE THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MIDWIFE IN HELPING TO PROMOTE SUCCESSFUL BREASTFEEDING

In 1991, the WHO and UNICEF launched the ‘Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative’ (BFHI). Its aim was to enable women to start and continue breastfeeding. Great Britain has one of the lowest rates in Europe. At birth, 66% of British babies are breastfed but after 7 days this figure drops to 56%, and by 4 months only 27% of babies are breastfed (UNICEF, 1999).

In this essay, I am going to give a definition of the word breastfeeding and describe the role and responsibilities of the midwife in helping to promote successful breastfeeding. However, it should be realised that it is the role of all individuals, health professionals and government bodies to promote breastfeeding (Ref. ?).
Breastfeeding is:
“Suckling or nursing, giving a baby milk from the breast’ (Anderson and Anderson, 1998 p.170)
An important part of a midwife’s role is the promotion of breastfeeding to expectant mothers. Within this role, the midwife will discuss the many benefits of breastfeeding to both m...

Posted by: Helene Hannah

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