What is the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) and why do I need to know?

Supported by Accreditation Canada, Perinatal Services BC (PSBC) and the Ministry of Health, the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) is the standard for supporting breastfeeding in B.C. VCH and PHC support the BFI and expect staff to support breastfeeding women regardless of the staff member’s role in the organization. The evidence is clear – breast milk is the normal and appropriate food for babies, exclusively to 6 months and, with complementary foods, to 2 years and beyond. Supporting the BFI means practicing according to the Integrated 10 Steps Practice Outcome Indicators for Hospitals and Community Health Units. VCH and PHC are working towards applying for regional BFI assessment by December 2015.

To assist staff in understanding what BFI means, a new introductory interactive video is available for all staff on CCRS at this link. This brief 5-minute audio/video provides a basic overview that describes what it means to be Baby Friendly and how staff can support breastfeeding women and their babies. We strongly encourage all staff to do this very brief module. Similar to accreditation, BFI assessors may ask any member of staff if they know what BFI means.

Questions?

Should you have any questions about the content or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Patty Keith, (Regional Program Director, Maternal/Child Program, and BFI Steering Committee Co-Chair), Radhika Bhagat (Manager Public Health, South Community Health and BFI Steering Committee Co-Chair), or Joanne Wooldridge, (Regional Leader, Early Childhood Development).

Thank you for helping us meet our regional True North goal of promoting better health of mothers and babies in our communities.

David Byres, Executive Sponsor of the Maternal/Child Program

Dr. Patty Daly, Executive Sponsor of the Public Health Program