Publish date: 26 August 2022
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) has recently been awarded the prestigious Baby Friendly Award and is the latest health care facility, and the first in Cheshire and Merseyside, to gain recognition from the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) Baby Friendly Initiative.
The Baby Friendly Initiative is a global programme which aims to transform healthcare for babies, their mothers, and families as part of a wider global partnership between UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO).
In the UK, the Baby Friendly Initiative works with public services to better support families with feeding and developing close, loving relationships to ensure that all babies get the best possible start in life. The award is given after an assessment by a UNICEF UK team has shown that recognised best practice standards are in place.
Breastfeeding protects babies against a wide range of serious illnesses, including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy, as well as cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes, and obesity later in life. We also know that breastfeeding reduces the mother’s risk of some cancers, and that it supports the mental health of both mother and baby.
Rachel Asher, Neonatal Infant Feeding Lead at Mid Cheshire, said: “This award is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to increase breastfeeding rates and improve care for all mothers at the Trust.
“At Mid Cheshire, we set out to ensure that all mothers and babies are supported to form a close and loving relationship – whatever their choice of feeding method – as this is the best start for every baby.”
Jenny Butters, Head of Midwifery, said: “I would like to congratulate our teams including midwives, nurses and support workers who have been involved in this fantastic award. They have continued to work tirelessly to provide the highest standard of care for women and their families.”
"We are delighted that Mid Cheshire Hospitals has achieved full Baby Friendly status," said UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Programme Director, Sue Ashmore. “Our work to support breastfeeding is based on extensive and resounding evidence that breastfeeding saves lives, improves health and cuts costs in every country worldwide, rich and poor alike. Mothers in Cheshire can be confident that their midwives will provide high standards of care.”
