Aberdeen City CHP, in line with the rest of NHS Grampian has started the process of working towards Baby Friendly Accreditation in the Community. This consists of a seven point plan for promoting and sustaining breastfeeding and involves everyone working within the CHP to different degrees. In the latest guidance from the Scottish Government Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action it states that all maternity units and CHPs achieve this as a minimum standard. The CHP has submitted a registration of intent and are awaiting the implementation visit from UNICEF, scheduled for 15th September 2011.
To date, four Health Visitors have been trained to deliver Breast Feeding Management courses to key members of staff within Community bases who are working directly with mothers and their families, as well as providing mentorship and supporting the CHP in their work towards accreditation. The NHS Grampian Breastfeeding Policy and Guideline 2010 is now in place and will be distributed to all Health Care bases and a process will be established for all (new) staff to be orientated to the Policy. If you have not done so already, please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the Policy.
The seven point plan for promoting and sustaining breastfeeding in the Community can be viewed at Unicef's Baby Friendly website.