The Baby Friendly Initiative: Protecting, Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding

Position statement from the Canadian Paediatric Society’s Nutrition and Gastroenterology Committee on “The Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI)- protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding”.  Despite the launch of the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1991, there are currently only 37 Canadian health centres/authorities that are designated Baby-Friendly. The paper discusses the effectiveness of BFI, the health and societal benefit, relevant evidenced-based information, contraindications and success stories from other countries to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding. The society concludes the position statement with recommendations and calls for support from provincial and territorial leaders in implementing BFI centres in all Canadians health care facilities.