There Are Now More than 600 Baby-Friendly Designated Facilities in the US!
Mississippi Leads the Way... The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) has reached another important milestone: over 600 birthing facilities are now Baby-Friendly designated in the US, representing more than 28% of the nation’s births. Since 1996,Read more
New Study Shows Baby-Friendly Practices Associated with Decreased Rates of Early Infant Deaths
A new study published this week in the Journal of Pediatrics shows increased rates of implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) are associated with decreased rates of infant deaths in the first 6 daysRead more
Let’s Talk about Clinical Standards and Clinical Judgment
Welcome to World Breastfeeding Week! As I write this, there are 576 Baby-Friendly designated facilities in this country. This seemed unattainable when I joined Baby-Friendly USA (BFUSA) almost ten years ago. In a few shortRead more
Study Correlates Baby-Friendly Care with Improved Breastfeeding Rates
In a study published in Breastfeeding Medicine, Jung et al. examine breastfeeding outcomes among WIC participants in Los Angeles County (LAC) and their relationships with Baby-Friendly practices. This study is important because, as is theRead more
The Ten Steps: Passed the Tipping Point and Moving Forward
(By Trish MacEnroe) Few social change initiatives have matched the scale, complexity and success of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). Launched in 1991 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's FundRead more
Fact vs. FIB: The Truth About Attrition
As we said in a series of posts last year, Baby-Friendly USA (BFUSA) believes we owe it to the public and to the hospitals that have worked so hard to earn the Baby-Friendly designation toRead more
CDC Maps Widespread Baby-Friendly Growth
Last month, AHRQ released the results of its systematic review of breastfeeding programs and policies, which concludes that the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is associated with improved rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration. This month, theRead more
AHRQ Review Supports Efficacy of Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative
Just in time for World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released the results of its systematic review of "Breastfeeding Programs and Policies, Breastfeeding Uptake, andRead more
One Million Babies Born Each Year in Baby-Friendly Designated Facilities
Baby-Friendly USA (BFUSA) is pleased to announce another significant milestone in our efforts to implement Baby-Friendly practices in hospitals and birthing centers across the country: more than 1 million babies are now born each yearRead more
Celebrating 500 Baby-Friendly Designated Facilities in the United States
Baby-Friendly USA (BFUSA) is pleased to announce that, for the first time ever, more than 500 hospitals/birthing centers are designated as Baby-Friendly in the United States. This important milestone indicates widespread recognition for Baby-Friendly practicesRead more
