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Texas Health and Human Services
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Texas Ten Step Program

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    • About Texas Ten Step
    • Breastfeeding Promotion & Buy-In
    • References
    • How to Apply
    • Application and Support Documents
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    • Texas Ten Step FAQ
    • Mother-Friendly Worksites
    • Re-designation
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    • Overview
    • Step 1
    • Step 2
    • Step 3
    • Step 4
    • Step 5
    • Step 6
    • Step 7
    • Step 8
    • Step 9
    • Step 10
    • Texas Ten Step Directory
    • Live Breastfeeding Training
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The Ten Steps

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in collaboration with the Texas Hospital Association developed the Texas Ten Step Program in 1999 as a method to improve maternity care practices in birthing facilities. Policy development, education of staff, and provision of discharge resources for breastfeeding mothers are key initiatives of the program.

  1. Help moms breastfeed successfully by having a patient-centered breastfeeding policy.
    Step Number 1
    Have a written breastfeeding policy for your facility that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
  2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement the infant feeding policy.
    Step Number 2
    Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement the infant feeding policy.
  3. Help women develop an infant feeding plan early in pregnancy
    Step Number 3
    Inform all pregnant women on the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
  4. Mom and dad can both practice skin to skin.
    Step Number 4
    Skin-to-Skin Contact
  5. Teach mom how to express breastmilk with breast pumps
    Step Number 5
    Support mom’s decision to breastfeed
  6. Exclusive breastfeeding should be the expected feeding method for all babies from birth to facility discharge
    Step Number 6
    Give babies no food or drink other than breastmilk
  7. Rooming-in should be offered to all mothers
    Step Number 7
    Practice Rooming-In
  8. Teach mom to recognize hunger cues like when baby brings her hands to her mouth.
    Step Number 8
    Encourage feeding on cue
  9. Step Number 9
    Counsel mothers on the use and risks of feeding bottles, teats and pacifiers.
  10. Step Number 10
    Establish Breastfeeding Support after Discharge

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Contact Us

Texas Ten Step Program Coordinator
TexasTenStep@hhs.texas.gov
512-341-4592
Fax: 512-341-4473

4616 West Howard Lane
Bldg. 8, suite 840 
Austin, TX 78728
OR
P.O. Box 149347, Mail Code 1933
Austin, TX 78714-9347

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