Scotland is the first country in the UK to receive 100% Baby Friendly accreditation in maternity and community services, thanks to financial backing from the SNP Government and the dedication of frontline healthcare staff, who are actively supporting, promoting and protecting breastfeeding in their communities.
UNICEF has now awarded Baby Friendly accreditation to every maternity hospital, neonatal unit, community setting and university that provides midwife and health visitor courses in Scotland. The accreditation programme trains health professionals in hospitals, health visiting services and children’s centres to support mothers to breastfeed and help all parents to build a close and loving relationship with their baby, irrespective of feeding method.
The SNP Government has furthermore allocated another £80,000 of funding in 2018/19 to increase resources for breastfeeding mothers, particularly in the days immediately following birth, and to support the maternal and infant nutrition framework.
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“This well-deserved accreditation follows the excellent results of Scotland’s Maternal and Infant Nutrition Survey 2017 earlier this year, which highlighted the positive impact that Baby Friendly practices are having on breastfeeding rates. Particularly striking was the increase in the number of babies receiving breastmilk at six months, rising from 32% in 2010 to 43% in 2017."
If you are a mother looking for breastfeeding advice and support, speak to your midwife or health visitor. You can also call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212.
The Breastfeeding Network runs free groups every day across Ayrshire where you can receive support and information.
To find your local group, please visit: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/sample-page/ .
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