Baby Friendly Initiative National Symposium By Theme
Day 1 Theme: Global to Local: Adopting socially just and equitable approaches for infant feeding and Baby-Friendly Initiative implementation
Subthemes:
-
The adoption of socially just and equitable approaches to quality improvement in the field of maternal and child health.
-
Global and national efforts to address maternal and child health inequities, unmet social determinants of health, lactation support, and inclusive approaches to infant feeding.
-
World Health Organization Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Implementation Guidance and the application to the Ten Steps and WHO Code Outcome Indicators in Canada.
-
Optimal infant feeding in complex systems; recognizing the relationship between chronic disease prevalence, household food insecurity and access to safe sustainable food systems in times of emergency.
-
Context and constraints: unmet social determinants of health and disparities in breastfeeding.
-
Resurgence of breastfeeding as an act of Indigenous cultural revitalization.

Day 2 Theme: Reconciliation and cultural competency in the context of family-centered care and the Baby-Friendly Initiative
Subthemes:
-
Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Canada Calls to Action and the relevancy for organizations and individuals supporting maternal-child health.
-
The Baby-Friendly Initiative implementation as response to the TRC Calls to Action.
-
Historical impact of colonization and residential schools on the family unit.
-
Personal, organizational and structural barriers that impact infant feeding.
-
Grounding practice in cultural safety and the importance of personal responsibility, self-reflection, and the examination of power, privilege, racism and other structural barriers.

Day 3 Theme: Connections and innovations that lead to the equity-informed implementation of the Baby-Friendly Initiative in Canada
Subthemes:
-
Impact of Baby-Friendly implementation on maternal-child health outcomes.
-
Creating enabling environments that support informed infant feeding decision-making.
-
Breastfeeding as a fundamental public health issue.
-
Innovative and informed infant feeding research, programs and policy.
-
Value of partnership, collaboration and relationship in supporting system transformation and health system improvement.
-
Grassroots action and the impact of community-led, community-based programs and services.
