Baby Friendly Health Initiative

The Women's and Children's Health Network (with support from the Department of Health) have developed an e-learning program that has been designed to meet Step 2 (of the ten steps) of the Baby Friendly Health Initiative accreditation (formerly the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative).

The program is directed mainly at health professionals who support breastfeeding women. However, other health professionals who have an interest in breastfeeding or would like to know more about breastfeeding will also find the program useful and can access the program.

The program is hosted by TAFE SA. Participants are issued with a log-on user name and password and can either undertake the training as part of a wider group within their workplace (as groups of e-learners) or on an individual basis at their own pace. Participants will require access to the internet.

It is expected that the program will take approximately 8 hours to complete but may take longer or less time depending on each participant’s individual knowledge and experience.

The program topics 1-7 provide the education requirements for both hospital and community BFHI accreditation, and includes extra information in the form of tips, videos and suggested reading. The program includes quizzes at the end of each topic that provide important self-assessment of breastfeeding knowledge.

A Statement of Attainment is available on completion of the program. Eight Professional Development Points are available through ACMI and 8 IBCLC Continuing Education Rating Points (CERPS) through the International Board of Certified Lactation Examiners (IBCLE). GP's may individually apply for QA&CPD Category 2 points. Speech Pathologists who are participants in Speech Pathology Australia's Professional Self-Regulation (PSR) program may be eligible to claim points - contact the Association.

Participants have up to one year from registration to complete the education program but can continue to access the program if they complete the program sooner. Once completed participants can use the program as a resource.

The program is now available on-line at www.babyfriendly.sa.gov.au for anyone to access.

Any enquiries regarding registration for the program can be directed to: