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The Baby-Friendly Initiative is a global campaign to promote, protect and support breastfeeding. It is sponsored by the World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Niagara Region Public Health was designated a Baby-Friendly organization February 2014.

To achieve designation an organization must follow the 10 Steps Practice Outcome Indicators for Hospitals and Community Health Services

This designation is granted by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, who is the national authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly™ Initiative.

Baby-Friendly Initiative Goals

  • Ensure health care providers have the knowledge and skills to support breastfeeding mothers
  • Promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months
  • Improve local breastfeeding initiation and duration rates
  • Enhance breastfeeding partnerships with healthcare organizations, consumers and multi-sectoral organizations
  • Increase awareness of the positive environmental impact and positive health outcomes when breastfeeding

Health care facilities who receive Baby-Friendly Designation have increased breastfeeding rates in their communities.