Four more Belgian hospitals get 'baby-friendly' label

Four hospitals in Belgium on Tuesday joined the growing list of 'baby-friendly' hospitals worldwide, reports the FPS Public Health. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the label in Belgium, part of the broader Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF in 1991.

The initiative was launched to recognise hospitals that give parents and babies the best possible start in terms of health and well-being, with an overall aim to reduce child mortality and increase public health worldwide.

The BFHI started in Belgium in 2005 with an action plan to encourage maternity wards to better inform new and prospective parents about nutrition and health, and to get hospitals with the label to provide correct and professional breastfeeding support and information.

The four hospitals to receive the label 'Baby Friendly Hospital' this week are AZ Alma in Eeklo, Edith Cavell in Brussels, AZ Nikolaas in Sint-Niklaas and AZ Sint-Vincentius in Deurne, bringing the total number of BFHI hospitals in Belgium to 27. 

photo: UNICEF