The New Zealand Breastfeeding Authority

Vision

For breastfeeding to become the cultural norm.

Background

The NZBA was formed in 1997-8 by a number of groups involved in the breastfeeding field to work towards the establishment of BFHI in New Zealand. It was incorporated in 1999 and contracted by the Heatlh Funding Authority to develop BFHI for New Zealand. Although NZBA has advocated for the implementation of all of the goals of the Innocenti Declaration, its primary focus has been on the establishment of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), together with the development of the Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI)

Link: Innocenti Declaration

BFHI in New Zealand

NZBA undertook development of the BFHI guidelines with government funding. An implementation advisory group drafted the documents. Extensive consultation occurred with Maori health professionals and consumers; Pacific peoples; health professionals (eg. Maternity Managers, Paediatricians, Midwives, Lactation Consultants, Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, Dietitians, Ministry of Health), Consumer groups (eg. La Leche League New Zealand, Parents Centre New Zealand, NZ Federation of Women’s Health Councils, National Council of Women), and overseas experts (eg. WHO, UNICEF and BFHI experts). The documents took 9 months to complete.

Link: Human Milk Banking Statement

Unique features in NZ

  1. Maternity care is provided by Lead Maternity Carers (LMCs). Women can choose a midwife,  obstetrician or general practitioner. LMCs may be employed by a maternity facility or work independently.
  2. The Treaty of Waitangi principles of partnership, participation and protection are an integral part of Baby Friendly Initiatives. The intent is to encourage consistent, evidence-based, culturally appropriate practice at all health care facilities.
  3. There has been consumer participation at all levels: in the development and review of BFHI and BFCI documents, as members of the NZBA Board and as BFHI assessors.
  4. Informed consent must be given by women, prior to being interviewed, during a BFHI assessment.

Launch in NZ

The BFHI documents were launched in August 2000 and were reviewed in 2004 / 2005. In 2001 the Ministry of Health contracted for a BFHI audit on a third of the maternity hospitals. The results enabled these services to pinpoint areas that needed addressing. Current maternity service contracts require all facilities to work towards becoming BFHI accredited.

Current Contracts

  • Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative
  • Baby Friendly Community Initiative

Stakeholders

  • Allergy New Zealand
  • Childbirth Educators of New Zealand
  • District Health Board Women’s Health Managers Network
  • Education for Change
  • Federation of Women’s Health Councils Aotearoa New Zealand
  • Fertility New Zealand
  • Health Star Pacific
  • Healthcare Aotearoa
  • Home Birth Associations
  • Infant Feeding Association of New Zealand
  • La Leche League New Zealand
  • Maternity Services Consumer Council
  • Ministry of Health
  • Maori SIDS Programme
  • New Zealand College of Midwives
  • New Zealand Association of Neonatal Nurses
  • New Zealand College of Practice Nurses
  • New Zealand Cot Death Association
  • New Zealand Dietetic Association, Paediatric Special Interest Group
  • New Zealand Lactation Consultants Association
  • New Zealand Paediatric Society
  • Nga Maia O Aotearoa me Te Wai Pounamu
  • Parents Centres New Zealand
  • Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand
  • Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
  • Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
  • Royal New Zealand Plunket Society
  • The Office of the Commissioner for Children
  • The Pharmacy Guild
  • UNICEF New Zealand
  • Womens Health Action

Associate Member

  • Judith Galtry

Copyright Statement

All intellectual property on this site, including without limit, the text, graphics and copyright works is owned by New Zealand Breastfeeding Authority. No material in this site may be copied, used for commercial purposes, or distributed without the express written permission of the New Zealand Breastfeeding Authority.

©2009 New Zealand Breastfeeding Authority. All rights reserved.

Endorsement of Products and Services

The New Zealand Breastfeeding Authority does not endorse or sponsor the products or services of any other organisation nor will they advertise such products or services on their website.