Final answer:
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched in 1991 to promote and support breastfeeding in hospitals and birthing centers worldwide.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched in 1991 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) as a global effort to implement practices that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. This initiative was a response to the declining rates of breastfeeding and the recognized importance of mother's milk for the newborn. The program encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother/baby bonding. Hospitals that meet the strict BFHI criteria are awarded the prestigious designation of being 'Baby-Friendly'.