The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched by the World Health Organization and UNICEF over 30 years ago to encourage facilities providing maternity and newborn services to implement the Ten Steps to successful breastfeeding. These evidenced-based practices have been shown to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration. Step 2 of the Ten Steps, staff competency, highlights the importance of ensuring staff have sufficient knowledge, competence, and skill to support breastfeeding. There are several ways to build competencies, ideally through a combination of strategies, since there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Learn more about the A Facility-Based Mentoring Program to Strengthen Breastfeeding Counseling: Program Resources.