Assessment for Baby Friendly accreditation takes place in several stages. For more information about each stage, click on the text below or choose from the menu on the left.

The Baby Friendly Initiative Staged Approach to Accreditation

Click on the image above for a link to the staged approach diagram.

 
 
  • Breastfeeding Research UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2009

    Register of intent It is important that you register your intention of working towards Baby Friendly accreditation with UNICEF as soon as possible.

  • Stage 1 UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2006

    Implementation Visit The Baby Friendly Initiative provides implementation visits so that a Baby Friendly assessor can work with staff to develop an action plan that is suitable for local needs. 

  • Child and mother - community UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2006

    Certificate of Commitment A certificate of commitment is the first award given by UNICEF in recognition that a provider has a breastfeeding policy, an action plan to achieve Baby Friendly accreditation and the commitment to implement the plan. 

  • Baby pointing medium UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2009

    Stage 1 Stage 1 focuses on the development of required mechanisms to enable the breastfeeding policy to be implemented and maintained. 

  • Training UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2006

    Stage 2 Stage 2 involves providing education for all clinical staff, as appropriate to their role. 

  • Breastfeeding peer support UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2006

    Stage 3 At Stage 3, the focus is on ensuring that the Baby Friendly standards are implemented for all pregnant women and new mothers. 

  • Breastfeeding News and Research from the Baby Friendly Initiative UNICEF UK/Caroline Penn 2009

    Re-accreditation How long Baby Friendly accreditation lasts for and how re-assessment works.