The Baby Friendly Initiative Annual Conference took place in Liverpool last week (24/25 November), with over 830 health professionals, supporters and others in attendance.
Delegates were celebrating both the increase in breastfeeding initiation rates, shown in the latest UK Infant Feeding Survey, and a record year for Baby Friendly awards, with 230 this year, including 31 new fully accredited units.
Speakers and topics on day one included Emilia Del Bono from the Institute of Social and Economic Research on new research showing the impact Baby Friendly accreditation has on breastfeeding rates, Paula Meier from the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago on the use of breastmilk in the NICU, Carrie Longton, co-founder of Mumsnet on what women were talking about around infant feeding, Julianne Harlow, Alison Healey and Florence-May Ingham on the University of Bolton's first in gaining Baby Friendly accreditation for a health visiting course, and Robin Balbernie on the impact of early relationships on brain development.
Click here to view photos from day two of the conference.
Outside the BT Convention Centre, Liverpool on day one of the Baby Friendly Initiative Annual Conference.
UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2011
Delegates take their seats as day one begins. Over 830 midwives, health visitors, peer supporters, researchers and others attended this year's conference.
UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2011
The day began with a presentation showing all the awards achieved this year - 230 in total.
UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2011
Emilia Del Bono presented research showing that Baby Friendly accreditation has an impact on both breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding rates at four weeks. Furthermore, this impact is strongest amongst the most deprived demographics.
UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2011
Watching Emilia Del Bono speak from the Mother and Baby room. Babies are, as you'd expect, welcome at a Baby Friendly conference.
UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2011
Robin Balbernie's talk looked at the impact of early relationships on a child's development, "Human relationships...are the building blocks of healthy development."
UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2011
As part of Carmel Duffy and Sue Henry's talk 'Listening and learning to move
Baby Friendly forward', delegates were asked to hold up cards to signal their agreement with statements about what the Baby Friendly Initiative should be considering as it looks to build on its successes.
UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2011
A younger delegate shows an interest in some of the Inspired Gifts on offer at the UNICEF UK stand.
UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2011
Delegates mingle at a drinks reception at the end of day one of the Baby Friendly Initiative Annual Conference
UNICEF UK/Jill Jennings 2011
