Charity given award and recognition from Unicef

Family Nursing and Home Care said it was awarded the Baby Friendly Award from a UK Unicef initiative

A Jersey charity has been given an award for its work with mothers and babies.

Family Nursing and Home Care's Debra Hennessy said the award from the Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative was "a reflection of our ongoing commitment to increase breastfeeding rates and improve care for all mothers in Jersey".

The charity's baby friendly initiative lead said "breastfeeding protects babies against a wide range of serious illnesses, including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy, as well as cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes and obesity later in life".

She added the charity aimed "to ensure that all mothers and babies are supported to form a close and loving relationship – whatever their choice of feeding method".

Debra Hennessy said the charity ensured all mothers and babies were supported to form a close and loving relationship

Ms Hennessy said: "We also know that breastfeeding reduces the mother's risk of some cancers, and that it supports the mental health of both mother and baby."

Anne Woods, the Unicef UK initiative deputy programme director, said: "Our work to support breastfeeding is based on extensive and resounding evidence that breastfeeding saves lives, improves health and cuts costs in every country worldwide, rich and poor alike.

"Mothers in Jersey can be confident that their midwives/health visitors will provide high standards of care."

The Baby Friendly Initiative is a global programme which aims to transform healthcare for babies, their mothers and families as part of a wider global partnership between Unicef and the World Health Organization.

The award is given to healthcare organisations after an assessment by a Unicef UK team has shown that recognised best practice standards are in place.