PARENTS of babies who need neonatal care in Worcestershire are set to benefit after the Neonatal Unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital was awarded a certificate towards achieving international recognition from UNICEF’s Baby Friendly Initiative.
The Neonatal Unit has committed to providing parents with the best information on how to feed their babies in ways which will support health and development as well as advice on how to build close relationships with their new babies.
The scheme is a global programme set up by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation to provide practical and effective ways for health services to improve the care provided for all mothers and babies.
In the UK, it works with health professionals to ensure mothers and babies receive high-quality support to enable successful breastfeeding.
Evidence shows breastfeeding protects babies against a wide range of serious illnesses including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy as well as cardiovascular disease, asthma and diabetes later in life.
Matron for Worcestershire Royal Hospital’s Neonatal and Transitional Care Unit, Lara Greenway said: “We decided to join forces with the Baby Friendly Initiative to increase breastfeeding rates and to improve care for all Worcestershire mothers.
“We know breastfeeding reduces the mother’s risk of some cancers – although mums might be more interested in hearing it’s easier, cheaper and simply less hassle than bottle feeding. We also set out to ensure all mums and babies are supported to form a strong loving relationship – whatever their choice of feeding method – as this is the best start for every baby.”
The Certificate of Commitment recognises a health care venue is dedicated to implementing recognised best practice standards and is a step towards gaining international accreditation from the Baby Friendly Initiative.
The maternity departments at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust have already received full accreditation with the Baby Friendly Initiative, and hope for the neonatal unit to also achieve this recognition in future.
