Unicef Certificate for Maternity Ward

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust PAH Maternity Unit have received a Unicef Baby Friendly Certificate for their commitment to promote and support women breastfeeding their babies.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust PAH Maternity Unit have received a Unicef Baby Friendly Certificate for their commitment to promote and support women breastfeeding their babies.

The main aim of the Baby Friendly Accreditation is to encourage and give women the confidence to breastfeed. Statistics show the certification from Unicef can increase breastfeeding rates by 10% or more.

The Breastfeeding Team at PAH are currently writing a new staff policy on feeding and putting together a training package to help support women in feeding, this is because the Maternity Unit are aiming for a Stage one Assessment in March 2011, which means the recommendations made by Unicef need to be in place and working effectively.

Once stage one is complete, Stage 2 will commence which involves Training and Auditing, then Stage 3, looking at the responses from women on feeding and the information they are given from the Maternity Department.
Kay Horn, Infant Feeding Advisor and Corinne Neville, Infant Feeding Coordinator commented:
”The benefits of breast feeding are widely documented and research continues to provide strong evidence regarding the advantages. It provides an excellent way of bonding with your child and spending quality time together, establishing your relationship in the early months. We are delighted to have received the Certificate from Unicef, we are really keen to make sure every parent we see is fully informed and supported when it comes to breast feeding.”

If you would like further information on breastfeeding or on the Unicef Accreditation please log onto: www.unicef.org.uk