The Maison de naissance du Lac-Saint-Louis Birth Centre, the 4 CLSCs (Lac-Saint-Louis, Pierrefonds, Dorval-Lachine and LaSalle) and the St. Mary’s Hospital Center all have their Baby-Friendly designation. The Lakeshore General Hospital and Hôpital de LaSalle are working towards theirs.
What is the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI)?
The Baby-Friendly Initiative is a program that reflects the continuum of care and services across our healthcare system. Publicly-funded healthcare facilities such as hospitals, birthing centres and community health centres that offer pre and postnatal services are eligible for BFI assessment and designation in Canada.
To be BFI designated, facilities must adhere to and fulfill the requirements of the 10 Steps for Successful Breastfeedingas outlined by WHO/UNICEF and adapted by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada. This process is evaluated by a team of BFI assessors.
Source: Breastfeeding Committee for Canada - Baby-Friendly Initiative
Reference: WHO/UNICEF (2018). Implementation Guidance. Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding in facilities providing maternity and newborn services: The revised Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Geneva: WHO.