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Baby-Friendly Hospitals

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• Additional Resources

In 1992, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) launched the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in a worldwide effort to support breastfeeding by ensuring that women in maternity care have full information and support to breastfeed their infants.

Additional Resources

Publications

1. 65 US Baby-Friendly Hospitals and Birth Centers as of July 2008 (Copyright © BFUSA) — This publication links to the 65 birth centers and hospitals that are considered Baby Friendly.

   http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/eng/03.html

2. Info for Parents: Why Choose a Baby-Friendly Birthing Facility? (Copyright © BFUSA) — This publication gives the reasons to choose a baby-friendly birth center or hospital and outlines the ten steps to successful breastfeeding as promoted by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). It also explains why breastfeeding is important to the health of the baby and provides links for additional information.

   http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/eng/05.html

3. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (Copyright © UNICEF) — This article explains the worldwide Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and lists the 10 steps necessary for successful breastfeeding support and promotion.

   http://www.unicef.org/programme/breastfeeding/baby.htm

Organizations

1. Baby-Friendly USA
2. La Leche League International
3. United Nations Children's Fund
4. World Health Organization

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated February 27, 2009.