| For Health Professionals
Baby Friendly accreditation, whether it is for hospitals, community settings or universities, makes a significant difference to outcomes for breastfeeding, and so to short- and long-term health outcomes for mothers and babies. Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed a baby. It is possible, but difficult, for mothers to reverse a decision not to breastfeed or to re-start breastfeeding once they have stopped. Introducing partial bottle feeding will reduce a mother's breastmilk supply. Breastfeeding mothers do not need to eat any special foods but it is recommended that, just like everyone else, they eat healthily.
Baby Friendly have provided a plan of care which should be followed for each mother throughout pregnancy and the delivery of her baby, and then through baby's early days, weeks and months of life.
The Baby Friendly Initiative accredits maternity and community facilities which adopt internationally-recognised standards of best practice. There are two main Baby Friendly awards: the Certificate of Commitment (CoC) and full Baby Friendly accreditation (BFI). A Certificate of Commitment is the first step towards the full award and is assessed by post and via an Action Planning Visit.
Health care facilities work towards full accreditation in stages: Stage 1 assesses policies and procedures, Stage 2 the staff education programme, and Stage 3 the care provided to pregnant women and new mothers. As facilities work through the stages, their progress is recorded on Progress Lists.
Facilities with full Baby Friendly accreditation have been externally assessed at each stage to prove that they have adopted all the best practice standards. Assessment is a rigorous procedure and ensures a high standard of care. Accredited facilites are required to undergo repeat assessments every few years to maintain the right to call themselves Baby Friendly. They can be expected to provide a high standard of care for mothers and babies, in line with the Ten Steps or the Seven Point Plan.
Facilities with a CoC are in the process of becoming Baby Friendly and are working to improve the way they care for mothers and babies. These facilities may not yet provide the highest standard of care, as the necessary changes are still being made.
Blackpool PCT and North Lancashire Training PCT, together with each area's Childrens Centres HAVE the certificates of commitment and are currently working towards Stage Two. Blackpool Vic has the CoC and is working towards Stage One, Royal Lancaster is about to submit for its CoC.
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