It is with great excitement that we announce a new research project about the Baby Friendly Health Initiative in Australia: Scaling up the Baby Friendly Health Initiative in support of maternal and newborn health.  

ABA is involved in the research partnership, along with LCANZ and the Australian Health and Hospitals Association (AHHA). The project is based at the Australian National University (ANU) and includes researchers from the University of Canberra. Two ABA people are involved as investigators on the project.  

Dr Julie Smith is an experienced breastfeeding researcher and supporter of ABA and is leading this three-year project which is being funded through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) which is a research fund that was set up by the Australian government in 2015. Health and medical research projects are funded from the net interest of the fund.  

As you will no doubt be aware, about a quarter of Australian babies are born in BFHI accredited facilities.  

In 2018, WHO issued revised guidelines for BFHI to assist with scaling up of accreditation and clinical application and in 2019 the Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy made scaling up of BFHI accreditation in Australia a Key Priority Action.  

This study will assess the availability of BFHI-accredited health services and the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding to all birthing women in Australia, to see whether women have had equal opportunities for breastfeeding support by the time they leave hospital. Links will be examined between where BFHI-accredited hospitals are located and breastfeeding and health outcomes. Expectant mothers will also be surveyed about the importance they place on the BFHI Ten Steps. This information will help with improving resources and practice so that more mothers experience the support they need to meet their breastfeeding goals and to gain the known health benefits that breastfeeding affords for both infant and mother.  

This will be an important study to understand more about how BFHI accreditation impacts on breastfeeding experiences and help us to understand how better to support breastfeeding women. To find out more about the study contact Associate Professor Julie Smith at Julie.smith@anu.edu.au  

 

Dr Jen Hocking

Professional Engagement Lead