WARRINGTON Community Services Unit has been given an international stamp of approval for its breastfeeding advice.
The organisation has been awarded a Certificate of Commitment – the first step towards gaining international recognition from the UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) Baby Friendly Initiative. 
Health visitors from the Community Services Unit (CSU) help mums to breastfeed successfully by giving them helpful facts and advice they can trust, based on real medical evidence.
Avril Smith, infant feeding coordinator for the Community Services Unit, said:
“We’re celebrating this brilliant step towards gaining Baby Friendly status, which will help us improve the health of babies and mums all over Warrington.
“Breastfeeding is cheap, convenient and protects babies from a wide range of illnesses including stomach upsets, allergies and diabetes in later life. By breastfeeding mums also reduce their risk from some cancers.
“The Certificate of Commitment is an award which recognises that we are dedicated to achieving internationally recognised best practice standards in helping mums to breastfeed.”
The Community Services Unit, which is the NHS community healthcare provider for Warrington, is the only organisation of its kind in the North West to have achieved the Baby Friendly Certificate of Commitment.
UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative programme director Sue Ashmore said:
“We are delighted that Warrington Community Services Unit has received this award. Surveys show us that most mothers want to breastfeed but don’t always get the support they need. Mothers in Warrington have the satisfaction of knowing that their health visitors are aiming to provide the best standard of care.”
Mums in Warrington who choose to formula feed will also get the same high-quality support and advice from Community Service Unit health visitors.
The Community Services Unit is working in partnership with Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to reach Baby Friendly status. Midwives and health visitors have been working together to make sure mums get the best help to breastfeed from the beginning, from their stay in hospital to living at home with their baby.
Picture: Mum Eleanor Harrison with baby Sam and Heather Glover with baby Robin, pictured with infant feeding co-ordinator Avril Smith and chief operating officer Carole Hugall.
Stamp of approval for breastfeeding
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
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Another box ticked.
Anyone would think it was a new invention, it’s been the recognised way since the beginning of man.