Children's Centres Information
Current recommendations:-The World Health Organisation's Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding (2003) states that:-
"All mothers should have access to skilled support to initiate and sustain exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and ensure the timely introduction of adequate and safe complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to two years or beyond."
Find our more about the World Health Organisation and the Global Strategy UNICEF's UK Baby Friendly Initiative states that:-"The UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative provides a framework for the implementation of best practice by NHS Trusts, other health care facilities and higher education institutions, with the aim of ensuring that all parents are helped to make informed decisions about feeding their babies and that they are then supported in their chosen feeding method."
Find out more about UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative What role do Children’s Centres have to play in this?- Sure Start Children’s Centre Practice Guidance states that:- “Support should be offered to maximise breastfeeding by new mothers.”
- A training goal for the centre might be to meet the assessment criteria for a UNICEF Baby Friendly Award, with all staff trained to support breastfeeding, welcoming facilities, and links with breastfeeding groups.
- Increasing parental choice
- Raising awareness of breastfeeding
- Help to make breastfeeding a normal and accepted way to feed a baby
- Enabling mums to feel comfortable about breastfeeding
- Department of Health data show that the Northwest has poor breastfeeding rates for initiation and duration.
- Children’s centres offer a remarkable opportunity to generate community involvement and establish healthy lifestyles by protecting and supporting breastfeeding and stimulating an interest in volunteering and education