How Close Are Oklahoma Hospitals to Being Baby - Friendly?

Abstract

The objectives were to determine breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes of maternity nurses in Oklahoma and to determine if nursing and hospital administrators in Oklahoma know about the Baby - Friendly Hospital Initiative. A survey of maternity nurses, interviews with nursing administrators, and surveys of hospital administrators were conducted. Nurses with more knowledge tended to have more positive attitudes. Nursing administrators cited leniency with rooming in and pacifier use. 58.3% of hospital administrators were aware of the BFHI, 75% felt it was possible to purchase their own formula, and 50% felt it was reasonable. Improvement in education programs for nurses is important to increase their knowledge and positive breastfeeding attitudes. Though nursing and hospital administrators know the practices in their facilities, the importance of concrete guidelines should be reiterated. The advantages of purchasing all formula should be stressed to hospital administrators.