Top award for “baby-friendly” Warrington

Warrington’s children’s centres have been rewarded by UNICEF UK for their work to get babies off to the best start in life.
The borough’s six children’s centres have achieved Stage 1 of the national Baby Friendly Award, for their work with mums on breastfeeding and much more.
A range of services offered at the centres for new and expectant parents have helped Warrington earn the award. Babies and their families are benefiting from  “Bosom Buddies” support groups, “Baby Explorers” sessions which support infant development, baby massage and health visitor drop-in sessions.
The success of Warrington’s children’s centres in achieving the first of three available accreditation standards is a boost to the borough’s baby and family-friendly credentials.
Cllr Jean Carter (pictured), the council’s lead member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “Children’s Centres in Warrington have always offered high quality advice and support to breastfeeding mums and their families. As such, they are an invaluable resource for families across the borough.
“We have extremely dedicated, knowledgeable and highly-trained staff. They work fantastically with new parents to reduce any worries they may have, encouraging them to have a close, loving relationship with their baby, however they choose to feed.
“It’s great news that this work, to make sure every new parent has the best experience they can, has earned us this national recognition.”
Warrington’s Children’s Centres have strong working partnerships with Bridgewater Healthcare Trust and Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Trust to offer families continuous support from antenatal – and
throughout their babies’ lives.
For more information on the nearest Children’s Centre, contact the Families Information Service on 01925 443322 or visit www.warringtonchildren.org.