Solihull Community Services, part of Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, has earned international recognition for its continued efforts to make the borough a place where babies get the best start in life.

UNICEF has reaccredited the Solihull community health visiting and infant feeding services as ‘baby friendly’ as part of an internationally recognised initiative following a rigorous assessment. Meeting the standards of the assessment is seen as confirmation that the teams are providing parents with the best possible care to build close and loving relationships with their baby and to feed their baby in ways which will support optimum health and development.

Elaine Bates, infant feeding co-ordinator at Solihull Community Services, said: “We are delighted to receive reaccreditation from the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative which is designed to support feeding and parent infant relationships by working with public services to improve standards of care.

“To be recognised in this way confirms that our teams are providing a high quality service to parents across Solihull. This prestigious award is also a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the health visiting and infant feeding teams and is a huge achievement of which we are all very proud.”

For further advice and support on breastfeeding, please contact Solihull Community Infant Feeding Service on 0121 713 8924, email elaine.bates@heartofengland.nhs.uk or visit their website www.youplusbaby.co.uk