Upholding the Highest Standards of Infant Feeding Care
As the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the United States, Baby-Friendly USA (BFUSA) is responsible for coordinating and conducting all activities necessary to confer the prestigious Baby-Friendly® designation and ensure the widespread adoption of the BFHI in the US. We do this by:
- Refining and upholding the standards/criteria for successfully implementing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding in the US;
- Assessing and accrediting birthing facilities that meet those standards and follow the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes; and
- Generating widespread understanding of and enthusiasm for best practice infant feeding care.
Upholding the Highest Standards of Infant Feeding Care.
As the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the United States, Baby-Friendly USA (BFUSA) is responsible for coordinating and conducting all activities necessary to confer the prestigious Baby-Friendly® designation and ensure the widespread adoption of the BFHI in the US. We do this by:
- Refining and upholding the standards/criteria for successfully implementing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding in the US
- Assessing and accrediting birthing facilities that meet those standards and follow the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes
- Generating widespread understanding of and enthusiasm for best practice infant feeding care
Quick Links
What’s New
A Life and Career Enhanced by Baby-Friendly
Natashia Conner Goes from Mom to Mother Partner to IBCLC to Health Equity Advocate We met Dr. Natashia Conner where so many people meet these days – on Facebook. In a moment of reflection Read more
A Total Commitment to Breastfeeding at Petaluma Valley Hospital
“I would say there’s a total commitment from the team on the unit for breastfeeding. They all have a passion for breastfeeding.” That’s how Wendi Thomas, RN, MSN, Director of Nursing at Petaluma Valley Read more
BFUSA Welcomes Casey Bland as New Board Member
Baby-Friendly USA is pleased to welcome Casey Bland, RN, MSN, as the newest member of its Board of Directors. Casey is currently serving as the Provider Quality Coordinator for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Read more
Baby-Friendly on the Local News
We at BFUSA are so impressed with the facilities that have remained steadfast in their commitment to the Baby-Friendly designation pathway during the challenges that have come with the pandemic. These facilities have been remarkably Read more
Comments from the Front Line
“Here in West Virginia, we only have three Baby-Friendly certified hospitals. I’ll be going to one of them.”
“The Baby-Friendly experience has really helped us drive our evidence-based practice and assure our patients that we are practicing to the highest standards. We’re affecting not only the health of this generation, but generations to come. It’s very exciting and empowering.”
“We have some serious healthcare issues in our state and we knew increased breastfeeding could have a positive impact in these areas. So, our management made the bold and important decision that we were going to encourage a commitment to the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.”
“The moment I tried it, she latched on, no problem. It’s like she knew what she wanted. So that’s how I ended up breastfeeding. Everything I needed to know about breastfeeding, they helped me 100 percent. I’m glad I did it because there’s a lot of benefits from it.”
“The delivery setting is vital to a good start in breastfeeding. Since breastfeeding improves health in so many ways, the impact of this effort on our population’s health is yet to be fully appreciated.”
“Baby-Friendly practices are now mainstream and have achieved wide enough coverage to have a significant impact on breastfeeding rates across the US.”
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