The Tenth Step of the BFHI: What midwives need to know about optimal support for mothers, post-discharge

This commentary discusses the 10th Step of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), the only step that goes beyond the hospital to provide for the mother to receive breast-feeding support after she returns to the community. The reasons why such support is needed, and how this support has been provided in different settings, will be discussed. Post-discharge support for breast-feeding mothers takes many forms and is optimised when mothers can access both professional and peer support. The mother-baby dyad is best served by the right advice from the right person at the right time. Midwives who assist the new mother with information about easily accessible support in the community enable the care she has received during her short hospital stay and during any midwifery home visiting to continue when she is in an environment that may not be supportive of breast feeding.