Research shows administrative staff are key for the Baby Friendly Initiative

Recent qualitative research by VCH’s dietetic interns demonstrated the critical role that administrative staff play in the implementation of the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI). They conducted in-depth interviews with admin staff working in the Sea to Sky Corridor, and analyzed interview transcripts to identify themes. These themes showed the many ways that admin staff can impact BFI implementation.

The interns identified a profound support for breastfeeding by the staff. However, it also appeared that current support for breastfeeding does not completely align with the recommendations of the BFI. Participants strongly supported breastfeeding, and also expressed a preference for modesty, or privacy, when breastfeeding in public. They also expressed discomfort with breastfeeding older infants and toddlers (both the WHO and Health Canada recommend breastfeeding until two years of age and beyond).

Participants were likely to draw upon their own experiences with breastfeeding, making positive experiences potential facilitators, while lack of experience (or negative experiences) was perceived as a barrier. Within facilities, breastfeeding promotional materials are present, but spatial constraints pose significant barriers. Available resources, including mandatory training for all staff, appear to be only partially implemented at this time. Like all qualitative research, this study and the identified themes provide the researchers with deeper understandings of the issues and demonstrate areas where other researchers may want to target investigations.

Overall, these findings identify important facilitators that are in place, as well as potential barriers, which can be used by VCH staff while working toward BFI implementation.