 Breastfeeding is an important, globally-recognized indicator of maternal child health. While most Canadian families initiate breastfeeding, at 90 per cent, many stop within the first weeks or month(s), and only a third meet the global target of breastfeeding exclusively to six months.
The Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI), launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF in 1991, is an evidence-based international initiative to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. More recently, these organizations released an implementation guidance document to help scale-up the implementation of this initiative globally.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the provincial government and the Regional Health Authorities have committed to improving breastfeeding initiation and duration as a means to improve overall population health and reduce chronic disease.
Our Commitment
As an organization, we are committed to improving breastfeeding initiation and duration rates. To support that commitment, Eastern Health has a regional Baby-Friendly Initiative committee comprised of leadership across the organization, along with teams at each birthing site and within the Public Health program.
Health Sciences Centre Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) Team
The main purpose of the Health Sciences Centre - Baby-Friendly Initiative team is to prepare the Health Science Centre to become one of 25 Canadian hospitals to receive the Baby-Friendly Designation in 2021, as outlined by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada.
Objectives
- Engage in activities that have a positive impact on increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration rates.
- Examine current practices at sites regarding the 10 STEPS of Baby-Friendly.
- Compile and review relevant reports and assessments.
- Develop documents identifying strengths and gaps for various Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) teams around the 10 STEPS of Baby-Friendly.
- Prioritize work through the 10 STEPS of Baby-Friendly at the site or community level.
- Establish working groups to complete action items.
- Empower acute care site and public health Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) teams to collaborate within and between sites.
- Increase collaboration and foster partnerships across sites and programs to support an organizational approach to breastfeeding.
- Report quarterly and annually to the Regional Baby-Friendly Initiative Committee.
- Work towards the Baby-Friendly Designation using the guidelines developed by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada.
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