The Neonatal unit at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, has been awarded Stage 2 Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation by the United Nations Children’s Fund.

It recognises that staff at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the hospital, implement standards to support parents (and siblings) to have close and loving relationships with their baby.

They promote the use of breastmilk and breastfeeding, and encourage an environment where parents are involved as partners in care.

The unit is one of the few nationally that have achieved this stage, prior to full accreditation, before the target set by the three-year plan of all maternity and neonatal units achieving the standard for BF1 by March 2027.

Kimberley Hastings, neonatal specialist nurse at the trust, said: “The whole team worked so hard to achieve this and ensure that the babies and their families are at the heart of our care.

“We are looking forward to working towards stage three early next year. I am so proud of the whole NICU team.”

Rhian Cope, matron for Children and Young People, added: “This demonstrates the team’s commitment to attending education and increasing their wider knowledge around infant feeding, which will ripple out to the families we provide care for and support as partners in care. Thank you to everyone involved.”