Published: Wednesday, 3rd February, 2010 5:15pm

Portiuncula retains baby-friendly status

Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, was this week re-accredited with the prestigious Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative National Award.

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global campaign by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and The United Nation Children's Fund (UNICEF), which recognises that implementing best practice in the maternity service is crucial to the success of programmes to promote breastfeeding.

Genevieve Becker, National Co-ordinator of the BFHI in Ireland congratulated Portiuncula Hospital on being the first hospital in the country to achieve the re-designation of this award.

A hospital spokesperson said: "This quality initiative is associated with increasing breastfeeding rates in the Hospital.

"In 2004, 48 % of mothers initiated breastfeeding this rate has been growing steadily in the last five years, in 2009, 58.91% of mothers initiated breastfeeding."

The hospital also received a 'Breastfeeding Supportive Workplace' Silver Award for the support and facilities available to their staff returning to work while continuing to breastfeed their babies.