Health professionals may wonder how to support families who choose to formula feed their babies within a baby-friendly setting. The good news is that the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) includes families who choose to bottle or formula feed their babies.
Several ways that the BFI at BC Women's supports formula feeding families:
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Skin-to-skin care: all families should experience the benefits.
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Non-separation policy: all families benefit from our policy, which helps enable effective teaching and awareness of their unique baby.
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Infant feeding information provided to families: staff act as an advocate for the baby by giving families this information to help them make an informed decision and then carries out the family's wishes.
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Formula information: we provide accurate and timely information on the safe provision of formula when formula is required. We provide instructions on the safe preparation and storage of formula.
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No marketing of formula: the World Health Organization (WHO) prohibits marketing of formula – decisions on purchasing and using formula are based on clinical need rather than marketing or advertising.
You will find more information on formula feeding at the following websites: Healthy Families BC and HealthLink BC.
