Infant Breastfeeding Assessment (IBFAT)
Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT; Matthews 1988): 4-item observational measure of an infant's breastfeeding at a feed.
Open the calculator → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.
Example
- Readiness to feed
- 3 (best)
- Rooting
- 2
- Fixing / latching on
- 3 (best)
- Sucking pattern
- 2
Result: IBFAT 10 of 12 — effective feeding behavior (10-12 effective).
The tool opens with these values already filled in. Replace them with your own.
What the result means
- Bands
- higher = more effective feeding; 10-12 indicates effective feeding behavior.
What you enter
- Readiness to feed (0-3)
- Rooting (0-3)
- Fixing / latching on (0-3)
- Sucking pattern (0-3)
How this is calculated
- Items
- readiness to feed, rooting, fixing (latch), sucking - each 0-3 (best = 3) = 0-12.
Matthews MK. Developing an instrument to assess infant breastfeeding behaviour in the early neonatal period. Midwifery. 1988;4(4):154-165. Read the source ↗
A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.