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The Baby-Frily Hospital Initiative
Our journey began in 1991 when the World Health Organization WHO and United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF launched the Baby-Frily Hospital Initiative, a global eavor med at promoting worldwide implementation of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. The initiative was designed to empower mothers with essential information, confidence, and skills for initiating and sustning breastfeeding after childbirth. While acknowledging cases where medical indication or informed decision necessitates formula use, Baby-Frily facilities provide safe preparation and feeding of formulas without compromising their focus on supporting breastfeeding.
WHO and UNICEF oversee the global administration of this program, collaborating closely with national authorities in each country to confer the Baby-Frily designation within those nations. More than 20,000 maternity establishments across 150 countries have been honored with this prestigious title since its inception.
In 2007, fewer than 3 of births occurred at approximately 60 Baby-Frily designated facilities. However, the landscape has dramatically transformed: now about 25 of births take place within roughly 600 designated locations spread across all 50 US states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico.
The initiative's impact on lactation support is profound. Over two decades since its launch, maternity wards have evolved from environments historically influenced by formula companies to centers of evidence-based care where education remns untnted by commercial interests, and mothers are supported in their infant feeding aspirations.
These changes have led to a significant rise in breastfeeding rates across the US. From 74 to 82 since CDC data showed an increase, as breastfeeding rates have grown while the percentage of Baby-Frily designated facilities increased from less than 5 to over 20. Since the first US hospital was designated Baby-Frily in 1996, nearly 10 million babies have been born in such facilities.
Baby-Frily USA, Inc. BFUSA
As a non-profit organization, BFUSA, incorporated as an exempt organization under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code, is responsible for coordinating and conducting all necessary activities to confer the Baby-Frily designation and ensuring its widespread adoption in US facilities. This involves:
Refining and mntning standards that facilitate successful implementation of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding in the United States.
Accrediting birthing institutions that meet these standards and adhere to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
Rsing awareness about best practice infant feeding care through information dissemination and advocacy efforts.
BFUSA was established as a 501c3 organization in August 1997, driven by a commitment to fostering informed decision-making among parents regarding infant nutrition.
Philosophy
The core tenets of BFUSA's philosophy are encapsulated in the following principles:
milk nourishes infants optimally through direct breastfeeding. Scientific evidence confirms its superiority for healthy development and immune function.
Implementing the Ten Steps significantly improves breastfeeding rates, as evidenced by a systematic review of 58 studies on maternity care that demonstrated their impact on early initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and total duration of breastfeeding.
BFUSA is dedicated to ensuring access to unbiased information and equal support for all parents based on their infant feeding decisions. This approach underscores the importance of evidence-based advice free from commercial influence and promotes respectful treatment of each parent's choice.
Evidence Supporting the BFHI
A wealth of research supports how adherence to the Ten Steps helps families achieve their infant feeding goals, and evidence highlights the supportive role facilities play in this process.
As reported by the World Health Organization WHO, Implementing the Ten Steps has been shown to significantly improve breastfeeding rates. A systematic review of 58 maternity care studies published in 2016 clearly indicates that adherence to these steps affects early initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and total duration of breastfeeding.
To delve deeper into this subject, interested readers can explore CDC resources outlining the evidence behind the Ten Steps.
The United States Breastfeeding Coalition also offers comprehensive research and resources on the subject:
For a detled review of the literature, WHO provides extensive materials avlable at:
https:www.who.intpublicationsiitem9789241550086
At the facility level, Step One calls for maternity care facilities to monitor breastfeeding outcomes. This involves teaching parents about evidence-based information on infant feeding and assessing individual mothers and infants for circumstances requiring additional interventions such as formula use.
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World Health Organization Baby Friendly Initiative Promotion of Breastfeeding in Hospitals UNICEF Collaboration for Infant Feeding Baby Friendly USA Designation Process Evidence Based Care for Newborns Maternity Ward Transformation