What is the Baby-Friendly Initiative?
Trillium Health Partners supports the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI). BFI helps families to make an informed decision about feeding their babies while protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. The current recommendations from World Health Organization and Canadian Pediatric Society support
- Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life
- Introduction of solids at six months
- Continued breastfeeding until 2 years of age or longer
All our nurses are knowledgeable about breastfeeding and will support you with your chosen feeding method. A Lactation Consultant is also available. We provide a breastfeeding class daily for you to attend prior to discharge. We also provide individual support for those families who have made an informed decision to give their baby formula.
BFI also supports skin-to-skin care which has many benefits and helps all babies adjust to the outside world. This practice supports breastfeeding but is beneficial no matter which feeding method you choose. Babies born at Trillium Health Partners are placed skin-to-skin as soon as they are born and stable. Babies are placed on the birthing parent or their partner’s bare chest with a diaper and hat on and covered with a blanket.
Skin to skin helps your baby
- adjust to a new environment
- prevent low blood sugar
- regulate breathing
- stay warm
- stay calm
- bond with you
We have created our Baby-Friendly Pledge to show our families our support of the Baby-Friendly Initiative and their right to an informed infant feeding choice.
