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Unicef recognise Sheffield for outstanding baby friendly services

baby's face
baby's face

Sheffield Family Centres and Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 0-19 Health Visiting service (SCH) have been awarded the Unicef Baby Friendly accreditation. Unicef stated that pregnant women and new mothers in Sheffield receive an outstanding service and a very high standard of care.

Both are commended for their hard work in maintaining the high standards they have established with mothers, highlighted by 100% of mothers interviewed saying they were very happy with the care they have received.

One of the mothers Unicef spoke to said “breastfeeding support has been my saviour, we are so lucky to have this readily available help, five days a week.”

Councillor Jackie Drayton, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families and Sheffield Baby Safe Champion said:

“I’m thrilled to hear that Sheffield’s Family Centres Staff and Health Visitors have once again been awarded the ‘Unicef Baby Friendly Accreditation’ for exceptional services to pregnant women and new mums.”

“As one of Sheffield’s Baby Safe Champions, and a mum myself I know how exciting and sometimes daunting it can be once your baby is born.  It definitely can feel overwhelming! – but remember you’re not on your own there are people who can and will support you with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, weaning and developing close, loving relationships – just contact your local Family Centre or the Health Visiting Service – they are there to help.”

“Congratulations and well done to all those staff working so hard to support our expectant and new mums and their babies and helping them to get a great start in life!”

Sally Shearer, Director of Nursing and Quality at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust said: "This is a fantastic recognition for our joint teams here in Sheffield who are supporting pregnant women and new mothers every day.

"Here at Sheffield Children's we work to provide a baby friendly environment, it is brilliant to hear 100% positive feedback from mothers who have used the service and to know we are continuing to maintain our high standards."

The Baby Friendly Initiative was set up by Unicef and the World Health Organisation and is a global programme aimed at providing a practical and effective way for local services to improve the care for mothers and babies, including enabling successful breastfeeding and supporting mums who formula feed. The award was given to Sheffield Family Centres and SCH after a Unicef team assessment recognised that best practice standards are in place with outstanding service provided.