Baby Friendly
Health Initiative
Improving healthcare for babies, their mothers and families.
Welcome to the Baby Friendly Health Initiative Australia
The Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) is a joint World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF project that aims to create a healthcare environment where breastfeeding is the norm, and practices known to promote the well-being of all mothers and infants are promoted. The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding are the global criteria against which maternity facilities are assessed and accredited.
The role of the BFHI in Australia is to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. This is achieved by providing a framework for Baby Friendly hospitals to operate within based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Once implemented, these standards ensure all mothers and babies receive appropriate support and contemporary information in both the antenatal and postnatal period, regarding infant care and feeding.
Latest News
Have you breastfed a baby in the last five years? The Global Breastfeeding Collective wants to hear your story
Use your phone and our easy-to-use platform to record a short (30 seconds or less) [...]
Congratulations to Atherton Hospital
"To become BFHI accredited had long been on the wish-list of the maternity staff at [...]
Congratulations to Royal Women’s Hospital Melbourne
"In 2023 we were awarded our ninth Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) accreditation. [...]
Congratulations to Launceston General Hospital for it’s sixth successful assessment since 2006
Clinical Nurse Consultant Beth, is one of three International Board Certified Lactation Consultants [...]
Congratulations to Rockhampton Hospital for their first BFHI Accreditation
BFHI accreditation at Rockhampton Hospital has been a dream and goal of [...]
13 BFHI Assessments in 2023
BFHI would like to warmly congratulate the following facilities on their accreditation: [...]