A 7-year-long project for York Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit to gain recognition from a UN body is almost at an end.
After continuous progress in breastfeeding rates and support for mothers in responsive parenting at York Hospital since 2016, the trust has been awarded the next level of the UNICEF Baby Friendly Award. This latest achievement has been described as ‘a huge statement on behalf of the Trust for today’s mothers and babies and for future generations.’ By one of the Hospital’s directors.
In the UK, the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) works with UK public services to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding and to strengthen mother-baby and family relationships. The award is given out following a series of assessments by a UNICEF team. This latest milestone is reserved only for services whose results consistently show that the Baby Friendly standards are being met.
The Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) award was presented to the team by Non-Executive Director and BFI UNICEF Guardian Lynne Mellor who said: “Congratulations to our maternity team on continuing to achieve these high standards. Thank you to all involved for their passion and continued commitment.”
Susie Kinsella and Julie Stones, infant feeding coordinators, added: “Breastfeeding protects babies against a wide range of serious illnesses including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy as well as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes in later life. We know that breastfeeding reduces the mother’s risk of some cancers. Breastfeeding is more than just food, it’s comfort and protection as well.”
You can support York SCBU by donating here. Pick up a copy of the December YLL Magazine to read our full six-page feature on the unit.
Add a comment