Cindy wrote, "Currently, there are no international standards for on-going
evaluation of hospitals and birth centers which have been awarded
Baby-Friendly designation... I welcome input on this topic.  I am
particularly interested in hearing about how these issues is being addressed
in other countries."

Me too!  We have 38 baby-friendly hospitals and I think re-evaluations are
way overdue, but what standards to use?  The impression I get is that each
country is being encouraged to formulate its own way of doing this. My
(not-so-humble) opinion is that this is not good enough because of the
probability that the very strict (and effective) criteria can, and will be,
watered down over time.  It would be nice if a careful set of *global*
re-evaluations could be used, preferably from, or with the co-operation of
WHO/UNICEF.  So that any mother, anywhere in the world, could be assured of
receiving the help she needs to breastfeed her baby if she gives birth in a
"baby-friendly" hospital.

Pamela Morrison IBCLC, Zimbabwe
Cindy Turner-Maffei, Coordinator
Baby-Friendly USA