• Li-Yin Chien, Chen-Jei Tai, Kuei-Hui Chu, Yi-Li Ko, and Yueh-Chi Chiu.
• Institute of Community Health Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, 155, Section. 2, Li-Nong St., Pei-Tou, Taipei 11221, Taiwan. lychien@ym.edu.tw
• Int J Nurs Stud. 2007 Sep 1; 44 (7): 1138-46.

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to examine the association between number of Baby Friendly hospital practices (based on World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund Ten Steps to successful breastfeeding) experienced by mothers and breastfeeding initiation during hospital stay, breastfeeding at 1 month and breastfeeding at 3 months after delivery.MethodsThe study population consisted of mothers who gave birth to infants without congenital anomalies at hospitals in Taiwan from June to October of 2003, inclusively. A total of 2079 mothers participated in the postal questionnaire survey.ResultsOnly 1% of women reported experiencing all 10-step practices, while 5.7% of women did not report experiencing any Baby Friendly practices. Mothers who delivered at certified Baby Friendly hospitals experienced more 10-step practices. The level of breastfeeding increased as the number of 10-step practices experienced increased at all three time points when confounders were controlled in the model.ConclusionsThis study found a dose-response relationship between number of 10-step practices experienced and breastfeeding. However, very few women in Taiwan reported experiencing all 10 steps. Our findings highlight the need for greater attention to implement the 10 steps.

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