London, ON – The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) announced the achievement of a milestone today. The Breastfeeding Committee for Canada awarded the local public health agency its Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) designation, recognizing the MLHU’s commitment to supporting, promoting and protecting breastfeeding and to working with local families. The designation makes the MLHU Ontario’s 17th health unit to receive the distinction and recognizes the four years of commitment and effort expended by Health Unit staff towards reaching this goal.
Developed and led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), BFI is a global, evidence-based approach that increases the health and well-being of all children and families. The initiative is aimed at hospitals and community-based organizations, including all of Ontario’s 36 health units, which have been mandated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to implement BFI.
“There’s a growing body of evidence that shows just how important breastfeeding is for infants and children and organizations like the Health Unit are increasingly committed to helping families make informed decisions about feeding their infants,” says Laura Dueck, Public Health Nurse and BFI Lead at the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “BFI designation confirms the high standard of care we deliver to our community and ensures families are supported to make informed infant feeding decisions, and if they are breastfeeding, that they are successful in reaching their breastfeeding goals.”
Organizations such as health units and hospitals must complete several steps before receiving their BFI designation. These process includes establishing a multi-disciplinary breastfeeding committee, reviewing local breastfeeding initiation and duration rates, undergoing a document review and pre-assessment site visit by BFI Assessors and a further external assessment conducted by BFI Assessors. Re-assessments occur every five years.
Families in London and Middlesex County can access the breastfeeding information and support they need easily, at anytime, from anywhere, by visiting the MLHU website at: www.healthunit.com/breastfeeding or by calling Health Connection at 519-663-5317 ext. 2280.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-663-5317 ext. 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell)
Spokesperson:
Laura Dueck, Public Health Nurse, Middlesex-London Health Unit