The Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community (BFFC) Designation complements the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. This Ten Step designation signifies that the community has made real strides to support all breastfeeding, nursing, lactating families to succeed in their infant feeding goals for the health of the child, family, and community.
Learn more about the Ten Steps Approaches and Measures.
Step 1. The community’s elected or appointed leadership has a written statement supporting breastfeeding that is routinely communicated to all.
Step 2. The community as a whole provides a welcoming atmosphere for nursing families.
Step 3. Optimal breastfeeding1 is supported by health leadership.
Step 4. During pregnancy, all families in the community receive information about lactation and feeding human milk, including the importance of breastfeeding, the risks of unnecessary formula use, and where to access support.
Step 5. Health care in the community is breastfeeding-friendly.
Step 6. Community lactation support groups and services are fully available, including peer-to-peer lactation support providers, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), and other skilled lactation support.
Step 7. The businesses and organizations in the community welcome breastfeeding families.
Step 8. Local businesses and healthcare clinics and offices follow the principles of The International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes.
Step 9. The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) maternity care and employment or, in the US, The US Business Case for Breastfeeding is promulgated by the government and the Chamber of Commerce (CoC) or equivalent.
Step 10. Education systems, including childcare, K-12, colleges and universities, are encouraged to include breastfeeding-friendly curricula at all levels.
1Definition of optimal breastfeeding: Children initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life…From the age of six months, children should begin eating safe and adequate complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to 2 years and beyond. (https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding#tab=tab_2)