For Families

The Niagara Baby-Friendly™ Initiative

The Baby-Friendly™ Initiative is a global campaign to promote, protect and support breastfeeding. It is sponsored by the World Health Organization and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Both Niagara Region’s Public Health and the Niagara Health System are currently working towards the Baby-Friendly™ designation. To achieve designation they must follow the seven point plan.

This designation is granted by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, who is the national authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly™ Initiative.

Baby-Friendly™ Initiative Goals

-Ensure health care providers have the knowledge and skills to support breastfeeding mothers

-Promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months

-Improve local breastfeeding initiation and duration rates

-Enhance breastfeeding partnerships with healthcare organizations, consumers and multi-sectoral organizations

-Increase awareness of the positive environmental impact and positive health outcomes when breastfeeding

Health care facilities who receive Baby-Friendly™ Designation have increased breastfeeding rates in their communities.