Certificate recognises health staff baby work

The district has been awarded a certificate of commitment for driving forward with a baby friendly scheme that aims to increase breastfeeding rates and improve care for mothers.

Staff at NHS Bradford and Airedale received the certificate from Unicef to commend them on their first step towards receiving international recognition for being baby friendly.

The district-wide project aims to improve infant nutrition, reduce infant mortality and improve the lives of babies.

Amanda Fletcher, public health consultant for NHS Bradford and Airedale, said: “We want to provide outstanding services to mums in the district. We need to make sure that our health professionals are trained to the right standard in order to provide this care.

“It’s fantastic to receive this certificate. It marks our real commitment to carry on achieving high standards and to receiving full accreditation as a baby friendly organisation throughout the district.

“We want mums in the district to know the importance of breastfeeding and that there is the right help and support for them during this time, should they need it.”

The local district aims to put into practice the Unicef steps to successful breastfeeding which include: Letting all pregnant mothers know about the benefits of breastfeeding, training all healthcare staff in skills needed to provide a high standard of service and encouraging breastfeeding on demand.

Health chiefs say babies who are breastfed have better health including less heart disease, stomach upsets, urine and ear infections, eczema and childhood diabetes.

The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months (26 weeks) of an infant’s life, as it provides all the nutrients a baby needs.