Implementing the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly initiative in Scotland

ABSTRACT Background Optimal breastfeeding practices in Myanmar are above global averages, and the Ministry of Health and Sports (MoHS) has demonstrated its commitment to support nutrition and breastfeeding through continued policy and program actions. In 2017, the MoHS, in partnership with Save the Children, led the piloting of the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly (BBF) Initiative. BBF provides a guide for countries to assess the enabling environment for breastfeeding and a country's readiness to scale up breastfeeding policies and programs. Objective The aim of this study was to document the BBF process and outcomes in Myanmar. Methods A Working Group (WG) of 14 members, led by a chair and 2 cochairs, conducted the BBF assessment using the BBF Index (BBFI), generated and prioritized recommendations, and disseminated the findings over the course of 5 meetings. Additional meetings were held to gain stakeholder endorsement and approval of the BBF process and WG before commencement and MoHS endorsement of the findings. Results The BBFI score for Myanmar was 1.2 out of 3.0, which indicates a moderate environment for scaling up breastfeeding policies and programs. The Funding and Resources gear earned the lowest score (0.5), whereas Political Will earned the highest score (2.0). Overall, 4 gears were weak and 4 were moderate in strength. Nine recommendation themes were generated and prioritized. The top priority recommendation was to form a National Infant and Young Child Feeding Alliance. The MoHS endorsed the 9 recommendations in December 2018 and has provided leadership for the formation of the alliance. Conclusions The BBF Initiative was successfully conducted in Myanmar, resulting in 9 prioritized recommendations for strengthening the breastfeeding enabling environment and substantial interagency collaborations. Adaptations to the BBF process were made for the context, and we note numerous lessons learned that should be considered by other countries that plan to commit to the BBF Initiative.

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How does “Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly” work? A Programme Impact Pathways Analysis

Maternal and Child Nutrition ◽

10.1111/mcn.12766 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gabriela Buccini ◽

Kassandra L. Harding ◽

Amber Hromi‐Fiedler ◽

Rafael Pérez‐Escamilla

Keyword(s):

Impact Pathways ◽

Pathways Analysis ◽

Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly

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15 - Wie stillfreundlich ist Deutschland? Forschungsprojekt Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly leistet nationale Bestandsaufnahme der Stillförderung

10.26226/morressier.5b50866b6a42700010585cf7 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Stephanie Lücke

Keyword(s):

Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly

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Can “Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly” Impact Breastfeeding Protection, Promotion, and Support in Mexico? A Qualitative Study

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/0379572118789772 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 393-405 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Cara Safon ◽

Gabriela Buccini ◽

Isabel Ferré ◽

Teresita González de Cosío ◽

Rafael Pérez-Escamilla

Keyword(s):

Public Policy ◽

Committee Member ◽

National Level ◽

Scale Up ◽

Shared Vision ◽

Policy Agenda ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Enabling Environment ◽

Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly

Background: The Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly (BBF) initiative includes a guide that helps countries worldwide assess their readiness to scale up national breastfeeding programs. Country committees of breastfeeding experts across government, academia, and civil society engage with BBF by applying the BBF toolbox that includes (1) the BBF Index (BBFI) to measure and score a country’s breastfeeding environment, (2) case studies that illustrate how countries have created enabling environments for breastfeeding, and (3) a 5-meeting process, during which country committees develop policy recommendations intended to improve breastfeeding outcomes based on the BBFI scores. Objective: This study seeks to understand how the application of the BBF toolbox impacted plans to improve the enabling environment for breastfeeding in Mexico. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Mexico’s 11 BBF country committee members about the 5-meeting process between May and June 2017. Audio recordings were transcribed and were coded and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Results: Three major themes emerged: (1) the unique enabling environment for breastfeeding consisted of obstacles and opportunities for improvement, (2) favorable country committee member dynamics positively affected the utility of the BBF toolbox, and (3) BBF revealed and shaped country committee members’ shared vision of change that laid the foundation for a shared public policy agenda. Conclusions: Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly can generate multisectoral breastfeeding champions who can advance the public policy agenda to improve breastfeeding outcomes at the national level both in Mexico and elsewhere.

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