The phrase "Baby-Friendly" may not be legitimately self-assigned, nor used by any individual or non-maternity service. Its meaning is highly specific, and is standard throughout the world. 

Maternity services must EARN this designation by a process of training, policy development, changes in practice, and verification by a team of external specialists that the facility complies with the Global Criteria for the Ten Steps, and also accepts no free or low cost supplies of breastmilk substitutes, bottles or teats. Copyright measures have been taken to protect this specific meaning of the phrase. 

Thus there can be no such thing as a "Baby-Friendly" doctor, but there are excellent, knowledgeable and committed doctors who support mothers who breastfeed, and I hope that the posting looking for one in the Boston area will yield a good list, including those who practice at Boston's recognized Baby-Friendly Hospital. 

There can also be no such thing as a Baby-Friendly product or children's hospital or even pediatric office practice (because Global Criteria for universal assessment of these have not been agreed upon.)  Yet they may be first class in their support to breastfeeding, and legitimately claim the recognition they deserve -- just not with the Baby-Friendly phrase. 

On LactNet and elsewhere, let us all be careful not to dilute the meaning of Baby-Friendly by using it with any meaning other than that we have worked to establish and to maintain internationally.  There are now over 15,000 maternity facilities that have won this designation, and we can applaud their accomplishment by our careful application of the Baby-Friendly phrase -- and perhaps also by encouraging other health facilities to commit to this important transformation of practices and skills.
Helen Armstrong
(Consultant to UNICEF on the BFHI, 1992-2000; presently technical consultant to BFHI News)  

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