The hospitals have been named as the latest healthcare facility to achieve the prestigious Baby Friendly Award, after assessments by a UNICEF team have shown that recognised best practice standards are in place.
The Baby Friendly Initiative, set up by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, is a global programme which provides a practical and effective way for health services to improve and maintain the best standards of care for all mothers and babies. In the UK, the initiative works with UK public services to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding, safe bottle feeding and to strengthen mother-baby and family relationships.
Head of Midwifery Sally Sivas said: “We are all absolutely delighted to be awarded UNICEF UK’s Baby Friendly Award. Our maternity teams are totally committed to making sure that new mums are supported to feed their baby in the way that they feel best, and are always on hand to make sure they are fully supported as they start to breastfeed. We know that becoming a new parent can be a daunting and overwhelming time, and that it’s absolutely vital that our staff will help you and your new family to get off to the best possible start.
“However a mother chooses to feed her baby, she can be sure that she will be supported to form a strong loving relationship with her newborn – this award reinforces our trusts commitment to support all parents to bond with their baby, with advice about maximum skin to skin contact and understanding how your baby will communicate with you and how your baby needs you to respond.”
"We are delighted that Epsom and St Helier has achieved full Baby Friendly status," said Baby Friendly Initiative Programme Director, Sue Ashmore. “Surveys show us that most mothers want to breastfeed but don’t always get the support they need. Mothers at Epsom and St Helier can be confident that their midwives and maternity teams will provide high standards of care.”
Our picture shows Sue Taylor and the infant feeding team.