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Using the Self-Appraisal Tool to renew Policies
and Practices
Any hospital or birth center that is interested in receiving a Certificate
of Intent to implement the principles of the Global Baby-Friendly Hospital
Initiative should - as a first step - appraise its current practices in
relation to the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.
The checklist that follows will permit a hospital, birthing center, or other
health facility giving maternity care to make a quick initial appraisal
or review of its practices in support of breastfeeding. Completion of this
initial self-review form is the first stage of the process of meeting the
requirements to receive a Certificate of Intent from Baby-Friendly USA.
Facilities are encouraged to bring their key management and clinical staff
together to complete the Self-Appraisal Tool and develop a plan of action
based on the results of the self appraisal. Suggestions for specific action
for an in-house group of management and clinical staff are to establish
| 1 - |
a written breastfeeding policy |
| 2 - |
a written curriculum for any training in lactation
management given to staff caring for mothers and babies |
| 3 - |
a written outline of the content to be covered
in prenatal education about breastfeeding. |
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Existence of such written documents provides evidence of on-going institutional
commitment to breastfeeding and ensures continued promotion even with changes
in staff.
Facilities participating in the Certificate of Intent program may access
technical assistance toward the full implementation of the Ten Steps from
Baby-Friendly USA staff. Facilities are encouraged to participate in the
Certificate of Intent program early in their journey toward Baby-Friendly
status. |
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To apply for
a Certificate of Intent, a facility submits a packet to Baby-Friendly USA
including:
 A completed self-appraisal
tool
Letter of support from
a chief administrative officer of the facility
Payment of Annual Fee
The receipt of a Certificate of Intent is but the first step along the formal
pathway to the Baby-Friendly award. Participating in the Certificate of
Intent program allows a facility to access technical support from Baby-Friendly
USA regarding the implementation of all aspects of the Ten Steps. An on-site
external assessment is performed when all of the Ten Steps have been fully
implemented. If assessment results are satisfactory, the Baby-Friendly designation
may be granted. The designation is renewable every five years through reassessment
or submission of an acceptable quality improvement project
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Download a Self Appraisal Tool (pdf)
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| Commonly
Asked Questions and Answers About the Baby-Friendly™ Process |
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Becoming
a Baby- Friendly Birth Facility
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Baby-Friendly
USA Annual Fees
| Certificate of Intent Fees |
Fees for Designated Facilities |
| 5,000 or more births in 2005 |
$900 |
5,000 or more births in 2005 |
$500 |
| 2,000-4,999 births in 2005 |
$800 |
2,000-4,999 births in 2005 |
$400 |
| 1,000-1,999 births in 2005 |
$700 |
1,000-1,999 births in 2005 |
$300 |
| Under 1,000 births in 2005 |
$550 |
Under 1,000 births in 2005 |
$250 |
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Links for Hospitals and Health
Care
Providers
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