The Baby Friendly

Initiative
Hospital Wide Orientation

What is the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI)?

World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF global
program and designation.
Its goal is to ensure the best start in life for all infants by
protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding.
It is a commitment to BEST practice and informed decision
making regarding infant feeding

How do we achieve the Baby-Friendly designation?

Our hospitals must comply with the WHO International Code of
Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and the 10 Steps to
Successful Breastfeeding.
Covenant Health will be assessed by the Breastfeeding
Committee for Canada (BCC).
The assessment process is very similar to that of Accreditation
Canada. The BCC assessors can visit any area in the hospital
and will audit practices and speak to staff, physicians, volunteers,
patients, and visitors.
THEY WILL LOOK SPECIFICALLY FOR HOW COVENANT
HEALTH SUPPORTS AND PROTECTS THEIR BREASTFEEDING
MOTHERS.

What do we need to know?

Know that we have a

Covenant Health
Baby Friendly
Initiative (BFI):
Breastfeeding Policy
available on
CompassionNet
under the A-Z listing
as well as
Clinical: Acute Care.

Policy
in
Poster
Form.

The WHO CODE

No bottles, infant formula, and/or promotional items
will be displayed, promoted or given to mothers (or
nurses) as gifts, as mothers may lose confidence
in their ability to breastfeed when they see these
advertisements or products.
All teaching materials are free of commercial
endorsement
THE CODE PROTECTS healthcare workers from
conflicts of interest and families against
commercial pressure

Why is breastfeeding important?

Breastfeeding is the natural way to feed a baby.

Benefits for Baby:

Long term protection from illness
Decreased Risk of SIDS
Lower risk of childhood cancers

Benefits for Mother

Better healing after delivery
Promotes mother/infant bonding
Stronger Bones
Cheaper and better for the environment

What can you do to help?

Recognize the Universal Breastfeeding Symbol.
Know at the GNCH ,MCH, and Bonnyville you can breastfeed

ANYTIME/ANYWHERE
If anybody asks about breastfeeding assistance please send them
to the Postpartum unit

KEY MESSAGES
The Baby Friendly Initiative
Know we have a BFI: Breastfeeding
protects, promotes, and supports
Policy and where it is located on
both breastfeeding and nonCompassionNet or on a Hospital
breastfeeding families by
Wall.
informed decision making
THE WHO CODE protects
healthcare workers from conflicts of
interest and families against
Know TWO benefits of
commercial pressure
Breastfeeding
Know where to refer mothers
experiencing
Describe how a mother may be
breastfeeding
supported to feel comfortable to
difficulties.
feed her baby anywhere in the
facility, including how/where to
provide a quiet space if she
should request one.

Please refer to
your Lanyard Tag
for answers if the
BCC approaches
you
NO YOU CAN NOT
HIDE WHEN
THEY COME TO
ASSESS

For additional information please see the

BFI Module on CLiC
Any Questions PLEASE Contact
Shannon Anderson
Project Lead Baby Friendly Initiative
GNH Rm 3120
780-735-7483
shannon.anderson@covenanthealth.ca