29 April 2014
Mums, babies and breastfeeding peer support volunteers today joined NHS Borders Chief Executive Calum Campbell, Baby Friendly Initiative Lead Rachael Marples and other nursing and midwife colleagues to celebrate the health board’s achievement in receiving the UNICEF Stage 3 Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) for Hospital and Community Accreditation.
The stage 3 assessment, which was carried out between 15-17th January 2014, is a comprehensive process which involves gathering information from women about the antenatal and postnatal care they have received. Of particular importance is the advice and guidance offered to parents on the subject of breast feeding, forming a close and loving relationship with their baby and being recognised as valued partners in the care of their baby whilst in hospital.
The Assessors found that NHS Borders had achieved all of the required elements for both the Hospital and Community, and recorded high pass rates in all areas. Also worthy of note was the very short space of time in which the accreditation has been achieved; two years compared to the five which are normally allocated.
Presenting the award Councillor Catriona Bhatia, Executive Member for Health and breast feeding advocate said: “This award recognises a significant achievement for a team of people who, through the implementation of the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative, are transforming the health of mums and babies in the Scottish Borders. Central to the continuation of this work is the ongoing focus on encouraging mums to breastfeed their babies, in order to give them the best possible start in life.”
Echoing Catriona’s sentiments, Katy Noble from Peebles who is mum of seven month old baby Ivy (pictured), said: “many dads worry that they will not form a proper bond with their baby if they are being breastfed, however this is not the case. Despite being born at 34 weeks, Ivy has been breast fed the whole time, and I could not have done this without the support of my husband. Having someone to make me cup of tea and sit and talk to me while I am feeding Ivy gives us an incredible opportunity to bond as a family and share this very special experience.”
Receiving the award on behalf of NHS Borders, Chief Executive Calum Campbell said: “compared with the rest of Europe, breastfeeding rates in the UK are very low. Within NHS Borders 35% of mums breastfeed, a statistic that compares very well with the rest of Scotland, however we aim to continue to drive that figure upwards.
“With the help of our community midwives and peer support volunteers we will aim for continued improvement and strive to be the best performing Board in Scotland. Achieving the stage 3 accreditation is not the end, but the beginning of our renewed efforts to ensure that every baby has the best possible start in life.”
Photograph: Calum Campbell, NHS Borders Chief Executive pictured with Rachael Marples, NHS Borders Baby Friendly Initiative Lead holding Baby Ivy Noble from Peebles.
The stage by stage overview of the Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative Standards are detailed below:
Stage 1: Building a firm foundation
1. Have written policies and guidelines to support the standards.
2. Plan an education programme that will allow staff to implement the standards according to their role.
3. Have processes for implementing, auditing and evaluating the standards.
4. Ensure that there is no promotion of breastmilk substitutes, bottles, teats or dummies in any part of the facility or by any of the staff.
Stage 2: An educated workforce
Educate staff to implement the standards according
to their role and the service provided.
Stage 3: Parents’ experiences of maternity services
1. Support pregnant women to recognise the importance of breastfeeding and early relationships for the health and well-being of their baby.
2. Support all mothers and babies to initiate a close relationship and feeding soon after birth.
3. Enable mothers to get breastfeeding off to a good start.
4. Support mothers to make informed decisions regarding the introduction of food or fluids other than breastmilk.
5. Support parents to have a close and loving relationship with their baby.
Stage 3: Parents’ experiences of neonatal units
1. Support parents to have a close and loving relationship with their baby.
2. Enable babies to receive breastmilk and to breastfeed when possible.
3. Value parents as partners in care.
Stage 3: Parents’ experiences of health-visiting/public health nursing services
1 Support pregnant women to recognise the importance of breastfeeding and early relationships for the health and well-being of their baby.
2 Enable mothers to continue breastfeeding for as long as they wish.
3 Support mothers to make informed decisions regarding the introduction of food or fluids other than breastmilk.
4 Support parents to have a close and loving relationship with their baby.
Stage 3: Parents’ experiences of children’s centres or equivalent early years settings in Wales, Scotland and northern Ireland
1. Support pregnant women to recognise the importance of breastfeeding and early relationships for the health and well-being of their baby.
2. Protect and support breastfeeding in all areas of the service.
3. Support parents to have a close and loving relationship with their baby.