A new article published in Maternal & Child Nutrition presents the rationale, structure and methodology of the Baby-Friendly Community and Health Services approach (BFC&HS), developed within JA PreventNCD.
Breastfeeding plays an important role in promoting maternal and child health and reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the life course. However, families often face barriers to breastfeeding, including limited access to skilled support after leaving maternity care. Strengthening breastfeeding support in community and primary healthcare services is therefore an important public health priority.
The initiative builds on the Norwegian Baby-Friendly Community Health Services (BFCHS) model, which adapts the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative standards to community health services. The Norwegian model has been recognised as a European Best practice. Through JA PreventNCD the initiative aims to strengthen breastfeeding protection, promotion and support across seven European countries.
The article describes the initiative's conceptual framework, governance structure, implementation approach and evaluation methodology, highlighting how participating countries will work together to promote consistent, evidence-based support for breastfeeding and early childhood nutrition.
The publication also outlines the collaborative process used to develop the initiative within JA PreventNCD and discusses its potential contribution to reducing health inequalities and improving population health outcomes. By extending Baby-Friendly principles beyond maternity hospitals and into communities, the initiative contributes to JA PreventNCD's broader ambition to prevent NCDs and promote health from the earliest stages of life.
The article provides valuable insight into the design and implementation of a coordinated European approach to strengthening support for breastfeeding and healthy infant nutrition in community and primary healthcare services.
Read the full article here:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mcn.70229