Becoming Baby-friendly: What works?

Marjorie Atchan, PhD, University of Canberra, Australia

Dr Marjorie Atchan (PhD) has been registered as a midwife since 1986 and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) since 1991. She has a strong clinical and managerial background, primarily in postnatal care, been an accredited BFHI educator and assessor, and BFHI coordinator in several Australian hospitals where successful accreditation was achieved. Marjorie has worked closely with the Australian College of Midwives, who govern BFHI Australia for many years. In recognition of her work Marjorie was awarded Fellow of the Australian College of Midwives in 2019. The findings and recommendations from Marjorie’s doctoral study inform national health policy, the Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy: 2019 and beyond. While working at the University of Canberra Marjorie successfully performed various leadership roles. Now holding the position of Adjunct Associate Professor in Midwifery, she supervises doctoral students and undertakes research, which is focussed on optimising the wellness of women and babies and in which she has published widely.

Irena Zakarija-Grković, MD, PhD, FRACGP, IBCLC, University of Split School of Medicine, Croatia

Dr Irena Zakarija-Grković is an associate professor at the University of Split School of Medicine, in Split, Croatia, where, in addition to teaching and running a 95h breastfeeding course, she leads a research group dedicated to breastfeeding research. Her research interests include implementation of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), management of mastitis and breast engorgement, and interventions for improving breastfeeding rates. Dr Zakarija-Grković has been a practicing International Board Certified Lactation Consultant since 2002 and currently serves as a member of the ILCA Board of Directors. She also serves as founding member of the Croatian Ministry of Health’s National Breastfeeding Committee and as the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative Coordinator for Croatia and Europe. Irena has been a member of the national BFHI project team since 2007, serving as trainer, assessor and regional coordinator, and was the driving force for achieving BFHI designation in the largest maternity hospital in Croatia. Dr. Zakarija-Grković has published extensively and has co-authored several reports, including the first Croatian guidelines for infant and young child feeding in emergencies. Dr. Zakarija-Grković is an Editorial Board member for International Breastfeeding Journal and a reviewer for over 20 journals. She is a recipient of the prestigious City of Split Citizen of the Year Award for her ‘unselfish work on the popularization of breastfeeding’.