World Breastfeeding Week honours the August 1990 signing of the Innocenti Declaration by government policymakers, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and other organisations. That document helped pave the way for protecting and supporting breastfeeding worldwide. The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2023 is 'Enabling breastfeeding: making a difference for working parents'.

Breastfeeding provides every child with the best possible start in life. It delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits to both children and mothers and it forms part of a sustainable food system. But while breastfeeding is a natural process, it is not always easy. Mothers need support – both to get started and to sustain breastfeeding. 

Here at NELFT, we are proud that our children's services in Thurrock and Havering have UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation. 

UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation is a programme that helps professionals to provide sensitive and effective care and support for mothers, enabling them to make an informed choice about feeding, get breastfeeding off to a good start and overcome any challenges they may face. The award is given to health facilities after an assessment by a UNICEF team that shows recognised best practice standards are in place.

Thanks to this work, breastfeeding initiation rates have risen by 20% since the Baby Friendly Initiative was established. In the UK, the initiative works with UK public services to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and to strengthen mother-baby and family relationships.