How To Become BFI Certified
In Canada, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is called the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) reflecting the continuum of care from hospital to home. Publicly funded maternity hospitals, birthing centers and community health services with prenatal and postnatal care, such as public health units and community health centers, are eligible for BFI assessment and designation in Canada.
To become BFI designated, agencies must adhere to and fulfill the requirements of the 10 Steps as outlined by WHO/UNICEF (2018) and adapted by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada for all healthcare institutions. This process is evaluated by a team of BFI assessors.
Why is BFI Important?
Given the health, social and economic advantages that breast-feeding confers for mothers, children and society in general, breast-feeding is a critical public health initiative. Health care professionals caring for infants and their mothers must recognize the importance of breastfeeding and strive to transfer that knowledge to the families they work with. The BFI facilitates the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding and has been proven to be an effective tool to increase breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity.
Pound, C. M., Unger, S. L., & Canadian Paediatric Society, Hospital Paediatrics Section, Nutrition and Gastroenterology Committee (2012). The Baby-Friendly Initiative: Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. Paediatrics & child health, 17(6), 317–327.
