Latest news with #BabyFriendlyInitiative
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hospital-based children's services recognised for commitment to improving care
Mid Cheshire's hospital-based children's services have been awarded a certificate of commitment to improving care for mothers and babies. The award is the first step towards gaining recognition from UNICEF UK's Baby Friendly Initiative. The certificate was presented to staff at Leighton Hospital by Dr Clare Hammell, chief medical officer and deputy chief executive officer. Dr Hammell said: "This award from the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to increase breastfeeding rates and improve care for all mothers locally. "Breastfeeding protects babies against a wide range of serious illnesses, including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy, as well as cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes and obesity later in life. "We also know that breastfeeding reduces the mother's risk of some cancers, and that it supports the mental health of both mother and baby." The Baby Friendly Initiative is a global programme that aims to transform healthcare for babies, their mothers, and families. In the UK, the initiative works with public services to better support families with feeding and developing close, loving relationships to ensure that all babies get the best possible start in life. The certificate of commitment recognises that a healthcare facility is committed to implementing recognised best practice standards. Anne Woods, UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative deputy programme director, said: "We are delighted that Mid Cheshire Hospitals has received this award. "Our work to support breastfeeding is based on extensive and resounding evidence that breastfeeding saves lives, improves health and cuts costs in every country worldwide, rich and poor alike. "Mothers at Mid Cheshire Hospitals have the satisfaction of knowing that the staff are aiming to provide the highest standard of care."
BBC News
05-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Medway Maritime Hospital's neonatal unit recognised with award
A hospital's neonatal unit has been recognised for improving the care of mothers and babies and helping to increase breastfeeding Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit in Gillingham's Medway Maritime Hospital has been awarded level three accreditation by Unicef's Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI).The award comes after a visit to the unit in January 2024 and recognises its work to support women around the importance of Clarke, matron at the neonatal unit, said she was "extremely proud of the whole team", and that the reward reflects their "ongoing commitment to increase breastfeeding rates and improve care for all mothers and babies on the unit". The initiative is part of a partnership between Unicef and the World Health Organization which works with public services in the Dawson, part of the infant feeding team at Medway Maritime Hospital, said: "Breastfeeding protects babies against a wide range of serious illnesses, including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy, as well as cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes and obesity later in life."We also know that breastfeeding reduces the mother's risk of some cancers, and that it supports the mental health of both mother and baby."On the unit, we make every effort to support families to form a close and loving relationship, whatever their choice of feeding method, as this is the best start for every baby."The neonatal unit, which was awarded level two accreditation in 2022, will be re-assessed every two years to ensure standards.
BBC News
10-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Jersey charity given award and recognition from Unicef
A Jersey charity has been given an award for its work with mothers and Nursing and Home Care's Debra Hennessy said the award from the Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative was "a reflection of our ongoing commitment to increase breastfeeding rates and improve care for all mothers in Jersey".The charity's baby friendly initiative lead said "breastfeeding protects babies against a wide range of serious illnesses, including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy, as well as cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes and obesity later in life".She added the charity aimed "to ensure that all mothers and babies are supported to form a close and loving relationship – whatever their choice of feeding method". Ms Hennessy said: "We also know that breastfeeding reduces the mother's risk of some cancers, and that it supports the mental health of both mother and baby."Anne Woods, the Unicef UK initiative deputy programme director, said: "Our work to support breastfeeding is based on extensive and resounding evidence that breastfeeding saves lives, improves health and cuts costs in every country worldwide, rich and poor alike."Mothers in Jersey can be confident that their midwives/health visitors will provide high standards of care."The Baby Friendly Initiative is a global programme which aims to transform healthcare for babies, their mothers and families as part of a wider global partnership between Unicef and the World Health Organization. The award is given to healthcare organisations after an assessment by a Unicef UK team has shown that recognised best practice standards are in place.
