BRADFORD'S neonatal unit has won a bid for £18,000 to make it even more baby friendly.

The unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI), part of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is one of only a handful nationally to be given a financial and training grant by the prestigious Burdett Trust funding.

The money will be used to support it working towards a Baby Friendly accreditation from UNICEF (The United Nations Children’s Fund.)

Altogether 69 units from across the country applied, 13 took part in the rigorous interview stage and just six were successful.

BRI’s maternity unit achieved the Baby Friendly status more than a decade ago but now neonatal units are assessed for their own accreditation.

Consultant neonatologist Roopali Soni said: “This is a big achievement for us and great motivation for working towards Baby Friendly accreditation.

"There is only one other neonatal unit currently accredited in the country and I would hope that we are not far behind!”

Breastfeeding co-ordinator Janette Westman added: “For mothers being cared for in a Baby Friendly unit, it means that they will receive care which is evidence-based and which ensures that everybody is working to best practice standards.”

Outreach midwife Anne Seekins presented the case at UNICEF, and neonatal and paediatric dietitian Amanda Musk and neonatal breast feeding support worker Chloe Dawson, were also part of the bid.

The five have been working as a breast-feeding support group for the last 12 months,

The Burdett Trust grant will give financial and training support to the unit over three years.

Its help will include teaching materials, places on Baby Friendly conferences and ongoing telephone support towards the accreditation.

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