Parent Partners have an important role within healthcare. Parents are not visitors or observers – they are primary caregivers, decisionmakers, and collaborators whose presence and participation directly influence infant outcomes. In Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) aligned facilities, the parent partner voice adds a unique value. They notice things professionals are trained not to see (tone, clarity, emotional impact) – providing a different lens.
1) If you are a parent partner supporting a facility here are some things to consider:
2) If you are a healthcare provider working with parent partners here are some things to consider:
If you are a facility looking to recruit a Parent Partner, explore our Parent Partner Toolkit and download our customizable Parent Partner Recruitment Flyer to support your outreach efforts. This ready-to-use template can be adapted to reflect your facility and help engage families in meaningful partnership.
This video highlights the important role of parent partners in healthcare and the value of meaningful collaboration with families. It reinforces the importance of recognizing parents as essential members of the care team, bringing expertise through lived experience.