Many of the same principles of the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) – a breastfeeding initiative – apply to all families at BC Women's.
The BFI supports families to make informed choices about infant feeding and guides health professionals in providing care based on the best available evidence.
Ways that the BFI applies to formula-feeding families:
- All families should experience the benefits of skin-to-skin care.
- All families benefit from our policy of non-separation to enable effective teaching and awareness of their unique baby.
- All families benefit from information to help them make informed decisions about infant feeding.
- The BFI encourages us to provide accurate and timely information on the safe provision of formula when formula is required. Please ask your nurse for specific information, so that you feel comfortable preparing formula before you go home.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) prohibits marketing of formula – decisions on purchasing and using formula should be based on clinical need rather than marketing or advertising.
For more information:
Baby's Best Chance: BC Government booklet for new parents
Created: Oct. 29, 2008