Bournemouth University Celebrates Baby Friendly Gold Accreditation Achievement

Bournemouth University (BU) was pleased to host the Baby Friendly Gold celebratory event with students, BU midwifery graduates and colleagues from across the South of England, including from NHS England, Infant Feeding teams and midwives from local NHS Trusts, Lactation Consultants and the AECC University College.

The event celebrated Bournemouth University achieving the Unicef UK Baby Friendly Award for the midwifery programme, which recognises that the high quality of education provided at BU is sustainable in ensuring that midwifery students can offer excellent infant feeding support, recognised and valued by our Trust partners. BU graduates are now leading the way both in clinical practice as Baby Friendly Leads in several NHS Trusts and as research leads on various projects.

Dr Alison Taylor

Dr Alison Taylor, Lead Midwife for Education and Baby Friendly Project Lead Lecturer at BU opened the event, discussing the societal barriers in the UK for breastfeeding, the importance of Baby Friendly at BU and the step-by-step journey to achieving the Unicef UK Baby Friendly Gold Award in 2021.

Alison said, “The interprofessional student-led newborn feeding clinic at the AECC University College has provided a unique opportunity to embrace the BU Fusion approach with an excellent learning environment for students, enhancing professional practice for colleagues and involving research.”

As Baby Friendly Guardians at BU, Professor Vanora Hundley, Professor of Midwifery and Professor Jane Murphy, Deputy Dean for Research, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences support the implementation of the Baby Friendly standards at BU.

Professors Jane Murphy (left) and Vanora Hundley (right)

Professor Jane Murphy said, “As a Registered Nutritionist and Dietitian, it is my pleasure and privilege to be a Baby-Friendly Guardian, to protect promote and support the standards looking beyond midwifery, with reach to other disciplines across BU and external partners working together with us on research projects.”

Professor Vanora Hundley said, “Our role as BFI guardians is to ensure that the fabulous work of the Baby Friendly team is sustainable and to look for opportunities to continue to improve the lives of all mothers, babies and families across the region.”

Nicola Keefe, BU graduate and Infant Feeding Lead Midwife at Portsmouth Hospitals

Nicola Keefe, BU graduate and Infant Feeding Lead Midwife at Portsmouth Hospitals spoke about the power of education and supporting the NHS Long-Term Plan. BU midwifery graduates have a head start in their Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) training when they join a hospital, helping to relieve the pressures from a highly pressurised service. Nicola Keefe said, “Through studying at a BFI Gold accredited university, BU graduates are confident and competent to support women with infant feeding and provide safe, consistent, and passionate care.”

The progression of Baby Friendly at BU had included recruiting Baby Friendly student reps, and working with Portsmouth Hospitals University Trust to set up student-led feeding clinics. Three BU final-year student midwives based at Portsmouth Hospitals spoke at the event about their experience supporting the clinics:

Students demonstrating how to breastfeed using the knitted breasts

Zoe Mantel said, “We’ve been able to have meaningful conversations with women, helping them to bond with their babies through breastfeeding and helping signpost them to sources of additional support when needed.”

Marissa Leach said, “Everything we are taught is evidence-based which gives me confidence when speaking with women in the clinic.”

Kelly Fleet said, “Through the clinic, we can give women the time and space to ask any questions so they walk out of the hospital confident with the information they have been given.”

Dr Alison Taylor and Dr Catherine Angell

Midwifery students at BU are taught how to use dolls and knitted breasts of all colours, shapes and sizes to demonstrate to women how to breastfeed – a useful tool for making women feel comfortable in the clinic.

Associate Professor Catherine Angell, Head of Department of Midwifery and Health Sciences closed the event, she said, “BFI Gold is recognition of the dedication of staff and students and our commitment to evidence-based care with women through midwifery services.”

The event closed in cheerful spirits with a highly anticipated cake-cutting ceremony.