BCNF expands focus as it celebrates 10 years

After supporting over 500 mothers and helping raise awareness of maternity and paternity leave policies, the Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Foundation (BCNF) is setting its sights on new goals, including the rollout of a national breastfeeding workplace policy.

As the non-profit marks its 10th anniversary, Executive Director Dr Alison Bernard announced plans to expand into complementary feeding, an area she described as critical to tackling childhood obesity and promoting lifelong health.

The foundation will also partner with the Ministry of Labour and the Third Sector to finalise national guidance on breastfeeding-friendly workplaces.

“We are preparing to expand our efforts into things like complementary feeding,” Dr Bernard said. “That is another vital step in addressing the childhood obesity that we have in this country and lifelong health.”

The organisation celebrated its 10-year anniversary on Sunday with a thanksgiving service at the St Francis of Assisi Church in Mount Standfast, St James.

Dr Bernard used the occasion to reflect on BCNF’s growth from a few small support groups into an organisation that provides consultations, virtual and in-person breastfeeding support, antenatal classes, and peer training.

Operating out of its own office at the Barbados Family Planning Association (BFPA) compound, BCNF has also contributed to national health policy.

Its guidance was officially adopted into the National Workplace Wellness Policy, and Dr Bernard suggested the foundation’s advocacy played a role in the government’s extension of maternity leave and upcoming introduction of paternity leave in June.

She thanked her team and key supporters, including the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Ministry of Labour, Maria Holder Trust, Caribbean Development Bank, Sagicor, Ross University, CIBC Caribbean, and the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust.

Executive Director of the BFPA, Anderson Langdon, said BCNF’s work complements their broader health mission.

“There is a lot of opportunity and scope for collaboration,” he said, adding that BFPA aims to integrate BCNF’s breastfeeding programmes into its own paediatric, gynaecological, and obstetric services.

To mark its anniversary, BCNF will also host a 3K community walk in partnership with Bajan Fusion’s Celia Collymore. (STT)