Baby Friendly Initiative

What is the Baby-Friendly Initiative?

The Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) is a global campaign that acknowledges that breastfeeding is the healthiest choice for mothers and infants, and supports families to make the best decision about feeding their infants without the commercial influence of artificial baby milk (formula) marketing.

The Baby-Friendly Initiative is based on:

• The 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding
• The World Health Organization (WHO) International Code of Breast-milk Substitutes

Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services (ROWPHE) received their Baby-Friendly designation from the Breastfeeding Council of Canada in December 2015.

BFI in Region of Waterloo

ROWPHE has a policy to support, promote and protect breastfeeding and is committed to:

• Support informed decision making about infant feeding
• Support mothers to breastfeed their infants exclusively for the first six months of life and to continue breastfeeding, with the addition of iron-rich complementary foods, for up to two years and beyond
• Welcome mothers to breastfeed Anytime, Anywhere
• Work with our community partners to provide consistent and seamless care that supports breastfeeding
• Support community agencies and workplaces to develop their own breastfeeding policy

For more information, contact Region of Waterloo Public Health at 519-575-4400 and ask to speak to a Public Health Nurse.

BFI Summary Plaques

• English
• Chinese Translation
• French Translation
• Portuguese Translation
• Urdu Translation

Additional information

• Breastfeeding Committee of Canada
• World Health Organization
• UNICEF
• Baby-Friendly Initiative Ontario