Dewsbury hospital’s maternity unit has impressed the United Nations after it doubled the amount of new mums prepared to breastfeed their babies.
A seven-year programme to train new mums about breastfeeding has been recognised with a prestigious UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) Baby Friendly Award.
The award comes after hospital staff managed to boost the amount of mums choosing to breastfeed from one in three in 2007 to the current figure of two out of three.
Hundreds of staff from across the hospital’s maternity and community healthcare services have been trained to help with breastfeeding, along with 200 volunteers who have gone on to work on wards or within the community.
Around 19% of mums in the area are still breastfeeding their babies at six-months old – compared to a national average of 6%.
Breastfeeding co-ordinator, Rachel Hauser, said: “We decided to join forces with UNICEF UK’s Baby Friendly Initiative to increase breastfeeding rates and to improve care for all mothers in the Dewsbury area.
“We have a holistic approach to support with informed feeding. We have well-trained staff and that includes a healthcare assistant right up to a senior midwife who have the same training out in the community.
“Nursery nurses, staff nurses, anyone who comes into contact with mums and babies, is baby friendly.”
While the majority of new mothers would prefer to breastfeed, for some new mums it can prove a challenge. Thankfully, there is plenty of support through services provided by the hospital, including the Baby Café.
Based at the Staincliffe and Healey Sure Start Centre, the café encourages mums to persist with breastfeeding even if they are having difficulties at first.
Once a week mothers can pop in with their little ones to socialise, speak to midwives, community healthcare staff and trained breastfeeding specialists for advice and share stories.
Helen Leuty began attending the sessions with her son Rafael, now 19 months old. She at first found feeding him difficult but two breastfeeding counsellors enabled her to persist.
She said: “They were fantastic. It was their support that made me want to train to become a breastfeeding supporter and help other mums.”
Helen has now completed a 10-week training programme provided by hospital to allow her to become a peer supporter.
Also benefiting from that support is Michelle Holloway, mother of Lewis, aged 19 months, and five-month-old Elliot. After having her second baby, Michelle began visiting the baby café after problems feeding Elliot.
Rachel diagnosed Elliot with ‘tongue-tie’, caused by a flap of skin at the bottom of a baby’s tongue which can make it difficult for their mother to position them correctly on her breast.
After a quick procedure to correct the condition, Elliot continues to enjoy the benefits of breast milk.
Michelle added: “I would have been completely lost without coming here. It makes me feel really proud that I am still breastfeeding, and I am still coming here every week.”
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