Have a written breastfeeding policy for your facility that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
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.
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Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement the infant feeding policy. -
Inform all pregnant women on the benefits and management of breastfeeding. -
Skin-to-Skin Contact -
Support mom’s decision to breastfeed -
Give babies no food or drink other than breastmilk -
Practice Rooming-In -
Encourage feeding on cue -
Counsel mothers on the use and risks of feeding bottles, teats and pacifiers. -
Establish Breastfeeding Support after Discharge
