About Us
About Us
Helping you achieve Baby-Friendly Accreditation—the gold standard in infant care
About BFUSA
Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. (BFUSA) is the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in the United States. We work with facilities to help them achieve the prestigious Baby-Friendly® designation, and we work to ensure the widespread adoption of the BFHI in the United States.
Refining and upholding the standards and 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
Fostering understanding and inspiring widespread enthusiasm for best practices in infant feeding care
Unlocking the Power of BFHI
Looking for significant, sustainable improvements in breastfeeding outcomes at your facility?
The Ten Steps is the most evidence-based approach.
As Baby-Friendly Has Grown, Breastfeeding Rates Have Improved
More Baby-Friendly Facilities, Better Breastfeeding Rates
The implementation of BFHI has enabled tremendous progress in infant feeding outcomes. Prior to BFHI's inception two decades ago, maternity wards were heavily influenced by formula companies, and maternity care and infant feeding practices regularly undermined breastfeeding.
Today's picture is very different: As the number of Baby-Friendly facilities grows steadily, more and more maternity wards are becoming places where evidenced-based care is provided, education is free from commercial interests, and mothers are supported in reaching their infant feeding goals.
Milestones on Our Journey
Babies are born each year in Baby-Friendly facilities
Baby-Friendly facilities exist in the United States
%
Percentage of annual U.S. births take place in Baby-Friendly facilities
Our Philosophy
BFUSA bases its philosophy on three basic tenets:
Human milk provides optimal nourishment and nurturing for human infants.
The scientific evidence is conclusive: Breastfeeding is the optimal feeding and caring method for the health of both babies and mothers. Mothers and babies who breastfeed experience improved health outcomes and lower risks for certain diseases, and breastfeeding is an important mechanism in the transition to parenthood and the natural development of the infant.
The precious first days in the birth facility should be free from commercial influence and protected as a time of bonding and support.
Evidence shows that commercial interests can significantly influence infant feeding practices in ways that undermine breastfeeding. Baby-Friendly facilities protect families from predatory marketing by providing evidenced-based care, education free from commercial interests, and a supported environment where all feeding options are possible and individual preferences are respected.
Every mother should be informed about the importance of breastfeeding and supported to make her own decision.
Every mother has the right to be fully informed of the importance of breastfeeding for her baby’s immediate and lifelong health and development and for her own health, and to receive the help she needs to achieve her infant feeding goals. We acknowledge that breastfeeding is not possible for some families in certain situations, supplementation is sometimes medically appropriate, and some mothers choose not to breastfeed. Every mother has the right to evidence-based information, free from commercial interests, to help her decide how to feed her baby, and every mother should be equally supported, treated with dignity, and respected for her infant feeding decision.
Our Commitment:
Quality Care for Every Family
BFUSA is committed to helping facilities create an environment where every family recieves high-quality, culturally sensitive infant feeding care. By centering individualized support and truly listening to each family's needs, we are helping to close long-standing gaps in care — improving outcomes for mothers, babies and generations to come.
