In June 2006 the Thunder Bay District Health Unit became the first Community Health Service in Ontario to receive designation as a “Baby-Friendly Community Health Service” by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada based on the World Health Organization & United Nations Children’s Fund Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative prinicples.  2006 news release 

In June 2011 the Thunder Bay District Health Unit was re-assessed and was the first Community Health Service in Ontario to be re-designated Baby-Friendly.  2011 news release

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global campaign of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) that was initiated in 1991 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

This program recognizes hospitals and maternity facilities that offer an optimal level of care for mothers and infants. A Baby-Friendly hospital focuses on the needs of the newborns and empowers mothers and families to give their infant the best possible start in life. In practical terms, a Baby-Friendly hospital encourages and helps women to successfully initiate and continue to breastfeed their babies, and will receive special recognition for having done so.  Baby-Friendly facilities educate pregnant women about feeding choices for their baby and then support the mothers in the choices they make.

Since the inception of the program, over 15,000 hospitals worldwide have received the Baby-Friendly designation. In 2002 the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada provided guidelines for community health care services to achieve designation. The initiative is generally referred to as the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI).

Click here for the Baby-Friendly sites in Canada.

 How Do You Get the Designation?

In 2010 the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada (BCC) combined both the 10 Steps and 7 Point Plan into the "Integrated 10 Steps for Hospitals and Community Health Services"  A Baby-Friendly hospital or community health service follows these Ten Steps to help you succeed at breastfeeding.

1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care providers and volunteers.
2. Ensure all health care providers have the knowledge and skills necessary to implement the breastfeeding policy.
3. Inform all pregnant women and their families about the importance and process of breastfeeding.
4. Place babies in skin-to-skin contact with their mothers immediately following birth for at least an hour or until completion of the first feeding or as long as the mother wishes:  encourage mothers to recognize when their babies are ready to feed, offering help as needed.
5. Assist mothers to breastfeed and maintain lactation should they face challenges including separation from their infants.
6. Infants are not offered food or drink other than human milk for the first 6 months, unless medically indicated.
7. Facilitate 24 hour rooming-in for all mothers:  mothers and infants remain together.
8. Encourage baby-led or cue-based breastfeeding.
9. Support mothers to feed and care for their breastfeeding babies without the use of artificial tats or pacifiers (dummies or soothers).
10. Provide a seamless transition between the services provided by the hospital, community health services and peer support programs.

From Summary:  Integrated 10 Steps Practice Outcome Indicators for Hospitals and Community Health Servies, Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, 2010.

For more information about the BCC Integrated 10 Steps visit the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada.

Resources

Is your health care Baby-Friendly? 

It's time to take your first steps

The Baby-Friendly Initiative pamphlet for parents

Sample Baby-Friendly Hospital Policy Template

Sample Baby-Friendly Community Health Service Policy Template

More Information

Everyone involved benefits from a Baby-Friendly environment. If you are interested in more information about the Baby-Friendly Initiative visit the Breastfeeding Committee of Canada, the Ontario Breastfeeding Committee or call Laura at 807-625-5952.