Healthy Start EPIC Center
Evidence-based practices include actions, activities, strategies, or approaches that improve the health of women, before, during, and after pregnancy in order to improve birth outcomes and give infants up to age two years a healthy start. Also included in the collection are informational materials and tools that make it easier to implement evidence-based practices. To search by title, use the main search box located at the top of this page.
Provides an example of a breastfeeding policy for hospitals. Included in the CDC’s list of evidence based strategies to support breastfeeding.
Topics:
Approaches:
Benchmarks:
Initiating Breastfeeding Sustaining Breastfeeding
Evidence Rating: III. Expert guidelines—Protocols, standards of practice, or recommendations based on expert consensus.
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative outlines 10 steps that support the initiation of breastfeeding. The 10 Steps consist of evidence-based practices that have been proven to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration. Hospitals that have become Baby-Friendly have breastfeeding rates well above the national average. Endorsed and promoted by all major maternal and child health authorities, including CDC.
Topics:
Approaches:
Benchmarks:
Initiating Breastfeeding Sustaining Breastfeeding
Evidence Rating: III. Expert guidelines—Protocols, standards of practice, or recommendations based on expert consensus.