BFI in Alberta

• Home • Contact •

The Alberta Breastfeeding Committee (ABC)

The ABC will facilitate, in partnership with the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada (BCC) , the implementation of the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly™ Initiative (BFI) in Alberta. Individual regions across the province of Alberta are at varying stages in supporting breastfeeding and implementing the BFI.

The ABC will be the primary contact between the hospital/maternity health facility and/or birth centres, and/or community health facilities. The BCC will be the primary contact for all matters related to the BFI Pre-Assessment and External Assessment process, as outlined in the “Hospital and Maternity Care Centre Guidelines for the Implementation of the WHO/UNICEF BFI in Canada” and “Community Health Centre Guidelines for the Implementation of the WHO/UNICEF BFI in Canada”.

Why does Alberta need the Baby-Friendly™ Initiative (BFI)?

The BFI is a coordinated program that enables hospitals, maternity facilities and communities to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. It is an accepted international standard by which hospitals/maternity facilities can evaluate their policies and practices of breastfeeding.

Implementing the BFI strengthens and demonstrates commitment to family-centred care and has been shown to increase family satisfaction of care. Where implemented, BFI has been successful in increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration rates.

Evidence shows that:

Breastfeeding provides optimal nutritional, immunological and emotional nurturing for the growth and development of infants and children. Beyond infancy, the benefits contribute to protection against many childhood illnesses.

Breastfeeding contributes to women’s health by offering protection for some women against breast and ovarian cancers and osteoporosis and by increasing the spacing between pregnancies.

Breastfeeding is a basic human right. For women, breastfeeding contributes affirmatively to women’s social and economic equality as well as to women’s self-esteem and body image. For children, gaining the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is facilitated by breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding provides positive economic advantages to both families and society. It ensures a safe, secure and self-reliant food source. Healthier infants and mothers mean substantial savings in health costs.

Breastfeeding rates in Canada are variable. Initiation rates are low among regional and socio-economic groups. Duration of breastfeeding is also a concern across Canada.

Breastfeeding protection, promotion and support are needed from all sectors of society. All levels of government, health professional and consumer groups need to value breastfeeding.

Establishing a Regional Breastfeeding Committee:

"Breastfeeding as an indicator of child health"

Strategies to move forwards:

	establish a multi-disciplinary and multi service area regional breastfeeding committee - ensure representation from all stakeholders
	agree to have a "simple" goal - to improve breastfeeding rates
	expose the committee to what breastfeeding as an indicator of child health means and to what the Baby-Friendly™ Initiative means,
	plan to move slowly - need to get every department to be "on board" -
	key will be more education for the staff, on a level they are comfortable with
	as goals are defined, include the physicians, midwives and administrators.

What resources are available to assist in the process?

The BCC and the ABC are available to provide consultation and expert assistance to hospitals and maternity facilities as they prepare for BFI assessment process. A plan for the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding in community health care settings has been developed. Assistance is also available for increasing awareness of the BFI in your community for individuals and organizations not affiliated with hospitals or maternity facilities. Additional resources/materials and literature are available through UNICEF Canada.

How can regions prepare for the BFI?

The BFI designation process requires an on-site Pre-assessment that is conducted after a facility indicates its readiness. This is followed by an External Assessment. After the facility has passed this External Assessment it receives the designation of being a Baby- Friendly™ Facility.

Contact the ABC for information packages on the BFI implementation process within Alberta. This package includes a self-appraisal tool designed as a self-evaluation and education tool that assists staff in identifying strategies to accomplish either the Ten Steps to Successful Breast-feeding or Seven Points for Community Care.

Upon adherence to the Ten Steps or Seven Points and Code, facilities can request consideration for Pre-assessment.

Canadian BFI Documents:

The Baby-Friendly™ Initiative in Community Health Services: A Canadian Implementation Guide   PDF

Implementation Guide Order Form   PDF

BFI Hospital Self Appraisal Tool (To be used in conjunction with the BCC BFI Practice Outcome Indicators for Hospitals posted on this website)   PDF

BCC BFI Practice Outcomes Indicators for Hospitals and Community Health Services:

Part 1 : Guiding Assumptions   PDF

Part 2: The Ten Steps and Practice Outcome Indicators for Baby-Friendly™ Hospitals   PDF

Part 3: The Seven Point Plan and Practice Outcome Indicators For The Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding in Community Health Services (CHS)   PDF

Part 4: Checklists and Appendices   PDF
Instruction on the use of infant formula in Baby-Friendly™ Hospitals
Join the many Canadians who are working to establish breastfeeding as the biological and cultural norm for infant feeding in Canada.

Links in this document are intended to serve as a reference list of resources on breastfeeding.

The ABC does not endorse any product, web page or resource materials with the exception of all of the

WHO and UNICEF Global Initiatives, the Baby Friendly™ Initiative, Innocenti Declaration

the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent WHA Resolutions,

and the national documents from the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada.

Send email to webmaster@breastfeedingalberta.ca with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2009 Alberta Breastfeeding Committee
Last modified: 02/26/09