Health sector initiatives

<h1>Breastfeeding - www.breastfeeding.org.nz</h1>

Health sector services and strategies

Baby Friendly Initiatives and the New Zealand Breastfeeding Authority

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is the World Health Organization’s primary intervention strategy for strengthening the capacity of national health systems to protect and support breastfeeding. Each country has to tailor the guidelines for their maternity system and legislation.

The Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) is being developed for use in the community by adapting the BFHI. The BFCI is where Primary Health Care practitioners in the community adopt practices that aim to protect, promote and support mothers to initiate and continue breastfeeding. At the same time, BFCI Primary Health Care practitioners ensure that women who choose not to breastfeed are supported in their decision and provided with unbiased information and advice.

The BFHI and BFCI are implemented in New Zealand by the New Zealand Breastfeeding Authority under contract to the Ministry of Health.

View related information on the Baby Friendly Initiative page in the Providing support for breastfeeding mothers section.

Ministry of Health policy on Breastfeeding

Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Infants and Toddlers (Aged 0 to 2 years) - A Background Paper (May 2008)

Breastfeeding policy statements from health sector organisations

New Zealand

Australia

International

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Page last reviewed: 31 July 2009