Overview
The Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) is a joint World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF project that aims to create a healthcare environment where breastfeeding is the norm, and practices known to promote the wellbeing of all mothers and infants are promoted. The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding are the global criteria against which maternity hospitals are assessed and accredited.
This training is for Group 1 staff: Those who assist mothers with breastfeeding, or provide education in relation to breastfeeding, in any part of the maternity unit, antenatal clinic and/or neonatal nurseries. For example, lactation consultants, midwives (antenatal, delivery suite, postnatal and domiciliary), registered or enrolled nurses who work permanently or on a casual basis in the maternity unit and/or neonatal nurseries, and paediatric unit personnel who frequently assist mothers with breastfeeding or breast expression.
Aim
To enhance staff knowledge and skills to ensure all mothers and babies receive appropriate support and contemporary information in the antenatal and postnatal period, regarding infant feeding.
Target Audience
This course is suitable for GROUP 1 staff who have contact with pregnant women, mothers, their newborn infants and families.
The staff may include all staff working in Maternity or Special Care Nursery:
- Midwives
- Lactation Consultant
- Nurses
- Doctors
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander Health Practitioner
* if you are a Personal Care Assistant (PCA), Ward Clerk, Aboriginal Liaison Officer or Domestic staff working in Maternity or Special Care nursery areas (Group 3):
Please complete the - Introduction to the Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) General 2025 (CARHS)
Learning Objectives
It is expected that on completion of the BFHI Self-directed Learning Package (SDLP) participants will be able to:
- outline the role of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) to protect, promote and support breastfeeding
- demonstrate knowledge and skills to implement and translate the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding into clinical practice
- apply the BFHI 20 Core Competencies to clinical practice.
Group 1 BFHI Education Requirements
The curriculum for BFHI education for group 1 personnel covers:
- the facility’s ‘policies for BFHI’ and the implementation of each of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.
- the Acceptable Medical Reasons for the Use of Breastmilk Substitutes.
- the facility’s and health workers’ responsibilities under the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent WHA resolutions.
- the facility’s protocols and information on breastfeeding and lactation management in a Baby Friendly facility, with a focus on empowering the women and using “hands-off” techniques.
- clinical skills such as positioning and attachment, recognising good attachment, hand expression, alternative ways in which a supplementary feed may be offered to a breastfeeding baby.
- mother-friendly labour and birthing practices and how they relate to breastfeeding.
- culturally sensitive care in response to women’s beliefs, customs or ethnicity.
- how to assist the mother to make a fully informed and appropriate decision about infant feeding, suitable to her circumstances.
- providing optimal support to all mothers who will be leaving the facility using infant formula.
Pre-requisite
There are no pre-requisites for this training.
Duration and Delivery
This course is expected to take eight (8) hours to complete as part of the theoretical component for group 1 BFHI which is the learning module.
The core competencies assessment (quiz) takes approximately 2 hours.
Technical Requirements
Participant required to utilise an IT device supported by internet access.
Completion Requirements
To be eligible for a certificate in this course you must:
- download, read and review the learning module
- complete all quizzes with a minimum pass rate of 75% for each quiz.
Assessment and Grading
There are seven quizzes that must be completed with a minimum pass mark of 75%.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
To obtain RPL for group 1 BFHI theoretical activities, you need to provide and upload evidence of Prior Learning. This has to be done in this separate MyLearning course: Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) Group 1 – RPL
Courses that may be accepted for RPL include but are not limited to:
- BFHI Launch Learning Online https://launch.sahealth.sa.gov.au/about/bfhi
- Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) BFHI RNAO e-Learning: Log in to the site
- Australian Breastfeeding Association Store (learnbook.com.au)
RPL must equal 8 hours theoretical education and will be assessed by lactation consultants as suitable.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
This course is expected to take 10 hours to complete.
Cost and Payment Process
This course is free to users.
Provider
For more information regarding this course or Baby Friendly Hospital Initiatives, please contact the lactation consultant in your region.
Top End, Big Rivers and East Arnhem: lactationconsultant.THS@nt.gov.au
Central Australia and Barkly: lactationconsultant.ASH@nt.gov.au
How to Enrol
Self-enrol
Use the 'Enrol me' button located at the bottom of this page. If you cannot see the 'Enrol me' button at the bottom of this page, please CLICK HERE and re-check for the 'Enrol me' button at the bottom of this page. Clicking on the 'Enrol me' button will enrol you in the course and take you to the course homepage.
NTG Staff – login with your NTG LAN details. These are the same details you use to log onto your work computer.
Non-NTG Staff – login with your MyLearning account details or apply for a MyLearning account using the Application form for non-departmental staff.
Contacts
For information regarding the course, contact:
Lactation Consultant in relevant clinical area
Top End, Big Rivers and East Arnhem
e| lactationconsultant.THS@nt.gov.au
Central Australia and Barkly
e| lactationconsultant.ASH@nt.gov.au
Course Coordinator
Clinical Learning Education and Research Service (CLEaRS)
p| 08 89227660