Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative

Revised, updated and expanded for integrated care
Preliminary version for country implementation

Authors: World Health Organization, UNICEF
Publication date: 2006
Languages: English
ISBN: 978 92 4 159501 8

Overview

The Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched by WHO and UNICEF in 1991, following the Innocenti Declaration of 1990. The initiative is a global effort for improving the role of maternity services to enable mothers to breastfeed babies for the best start in life. It aims at improving the care of pregnant women, mothers and newborns at health facilities that provide maternity services for protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. Different tools and materials were developed and provided for implementation of the BFHI, including an 18-hour course, a self-appraisal tool, and an external assessment tool.

Since its launching BFHI has grown, with more than 20,000 designated facilities in 152 countries around the world over the last 15 years. The initiative has measurable and proven impact, increasing the likelihood of babies being exclusively breastfed for the first six months.

The HIV pandemic raised concerns and queries in relation to feeding recommendations for children of HIV-infected mothers. In 2003, as a result of collaboration between nine UN agencies, a framework for priority action on HIV and infant feeding was published, promoting optimal infant and young child feeding for all and including support for BFHI. Additionally, there is new research on breastfeeding and infant feeding and information on the critical importance of breastfeeding in emergency situations.

In response to the HIV pandemic and other new evidence, WHO and UNICEF collaborated on an effort to update the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative materials. These materials are divided in five sections.