UNICEF UK is today launching a consultation on proposed updated standards for the Baby Friendly Initiative. The consultation will be running until Friday 3 August and we are actively looking for feedback from health professionals, academics, peer supporters or anyone else interested in infant feeding and maternity care.
Click here to download a copy of the consultation document, outlining the proposed updates.
After reading the document, you can complete the survey here.
We recommend having a copy of the consultation document available for reference.
Why are the standards being updated?
The Baby Friendly Initiative has been running in the UK for 16 years and has had a significant impact on routine practice for infant feeding within relevant health services and on UK breastfeeding rates. However there is now a wealth of new evidence relating to what works for mothers and babies in terms of practical / emotional support and the impact of this on infant development. There have also been major changes within UK public services. In light of this, it was agreed that the time had come to review the original standards.
This review has taken the learning from the hundreds of facilities implementing the standards and the current evidence base in order to update the standards so that they continue to support public services to implement the best possible care for mothers and babies in the UK.
The updated standards have the relationship between a mother and her baby at their heart. This relationship lays the foundation for all future relationships, and supporting it will help build long-term health and well-being.
6 August: The consultation is now closed. Thank you to everyone who took part. We will be sharing the results later this year.
