Baby-friendly unit wins an award for ERI

A CITY hospital unit has received an award for its work in encouraging new mothers to breastfeed.

Simpson's Centre for Reproductive Health, at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, has been reaccredited with the UNICEF Baby Friendly Award in recognition of the work staff do to support new mums in breastfeeding.

The award was presented to the unit as part of National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, at a special tea party attended by parents, babies and staff. James McCaffery, director of acute services, presented a special plaque to Maria Wilson, chief midwife, which is to be displayed in the unit.

Ms Wilson said: "Celebrating seven years as a baby friendly unit is a great achievement to show our commitment to breastfeeding and providing care and support to new mothers.

"Breastfeeding offers the best possible start to newborn babies and protects them against a wide range of serious illnesses, including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy as well as allergies and diabetes in childhood.

"We also know that there is often a lot of pressure on new mums to breastfeed, and the first few months can be a difficult time."