BwD Infant Feeding services are the ‘gold standard’

Two of the area’s major providers of children and family services are jubilant after once again being accredited as the gold standard of ‘baby friendly’ organisations.

Following rigorous assessment by UNICEF UK, the hard work and dedication of staff and supporters at Blackburn with Darwen Children’s Centres and Health Visiting service have been rewarded by having their GOLD Baby Friendly Initiative revalidated.

The baby friendly initiative recognises the high standard of skills and knowledge demonstrated by staff and volunteers. It was set up by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation as a global programme to provide a practical and effective way for health services to improve the care provided for all mothers and babies, including the highest standards of breastfeeding support.

Feedback from the UNICEF assessor – who ensured that mothers in BwD are given the correct information and support to breastfeed – said: “Outstanding work, presentation and evidence was well put together, made my job very easy, fantastic GOLD leadership team, culture of kindness and support.” 

Breastfeeding in Blackburn with Darwen has made great strides in recent years with the area becoming a ‘Breastfeeding Friendly Borough’ in 2018, meaning the proactive promotion and support of breastfeeding by the Council and local businesses is maintained.

And the UNICEF news comes at the perfect time with permanent signage regarding the Breastfeeding Friendly Borough having just been installed in sites across the local area.

The signage has been put up in consultation with the BwD Breast Intentions mums, a number of elected members and the teams from East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

It is just one of the signs of commitment as a borough as part of the Breastfeeding Friendly Borough status to welcome and support breastfeeding mums.

Councillor Julie Gunn, Executive member for Children’s Services, said:

This is fantastic news. The revalidation shows that a high standard of care has been maintained and, despite the COVID restrictions, service disruption and staffing challenges, quality services for families have continued to be delivered.

“Feedback from mothers is always overwhelmingly positive and the assessor said that BwD should be recognised as a beacon of good practice which will inspire other areas to reach this high standard of achievement. Well done all.