John Radcliffe Hospital not gained baby friendly status

[VictorianSqualor]

I expect many of you here will have either had a baby at the JR, or be having one there at some point.
So am asking you if you can do your bit in the fight to make it a 'baby friendly' hospital.
What it means is that the hospital has to undergo three assessments, outlined here.
assessment 1
assessment 2
assessment 3
It is mainly with regards to the information and help given to new mothers regarding breastfeeding.
I am aware that not everyone wishes to breastfeed and that, of course, is personal choice, but surely the help should be available for those who are unsure or wish to try??
It will not mean mothers are forced into BF, only that those who may want to are given the help and support needed to help them achieve their goal.
We are lucky that we have the milkbank facility, which many hospitals do not, so those babies that are in express need of breastmilk (mainly premature babies whose mother is ill/unable to feed) are able to get it, but it is every mother's right to give her child breastmilk if she feels it is something she wants to do.
So what I ask of you is that you take the time to fill out your address/name and print off and post this letter it's going to cost you no more than 5 minutes and a postage stamp.
There are other hospitals not yet accredited, or even applying that you may have used or be using, if anyone would like me to write to them I would be happy to, just let me know.
Thanks.

bump

I'll happily write to them.

Yay, I sent mine off the other day. Still think it's a bit weird if they arent at least trying to acheive baby frienly status, apparently the BF clinic is reknowned?

The problem is that although the BF clinic is fantastic (and has saved my bacon on two occasions), it is underfunded and underrated by the 'powers that be'. I only found out by it by accident, despite having huge problems first time round. None of the midwives told me about it, I only happened to be on L6 and found it myself. How can that be 'baby-friendly'?! But they were happy to give out free milk for top-ups (something that ends up killing BF).

They have also been moved from a large room on L6 suitable for a BF clinic, into a little cupboard on L1 that is the size of a shoebox, and totally unworkable for the number of women they do help. I found that I couldn't go enough times to help me sufficiently with my second child, just because of the space constraints.

I would like to send this letter, but despite the women in the JR BF clinic doing the most amazing job, the hospital per se is far from baby friendly. They need to get their act together on the BF issue before I'd be happy to attest to their babyfriendly status.

That's the point globaljen, they haven't achieved babyfriendly status, the letter asks the 'powers that be' to do more about achieving it, rather than saying they are at the right point for it.
I have however noticed in my maternity notes that it says something about the hospital being baby friendly

went and looked round JR for DD1's birth and was totally put off and ended up at the HORTON - far friendlier and more personal. Went in for nuchal the other day, unfortunately had DD1 with us who decided to fill her nappy during the scan (!!) and no one there, even on the baby ward next to clinic could tell me where there was any baby changing - ended up on the floor of the ladies toilets - nice! Will definately send off the letter as they really need to do something. But again will not consider it for birth again this time (though have heard they are great on the delivery suites, just lacking on the wards).

I'm thinking of going to have a look round soon, I have been referred to the silver star team now so I don't know if that changes what ward type I go on.

having delivered at the horton, was put off of all the stories of the jr. just a shame they a ren't part of the new chidlrens hosp - that has been a very positive experience.

MIL works at the childrens hospital, Let's hope the womens centre catches up!
FWIW though, I used to live in Northampton and the womens centre is way ahead of Northampton General in Antenatal care.
I've been raving about the care I've been given so far in comparison and the JR immediately sent me for a uterine doppler scan WRT placental abruption with my first DC, NGH just left me to get on with my 2nd, which now proves to have been very bloody daft (and dangerous to boot).

I'll definitely send the letter as my baby and I were looked after fantastically in the Women's Centre recently - thanks to their care and professional approach he is now doing really well! They certainly helped me with expressing breastmilk, providing all the kit and a quiet room to use. Have to agree that the Children's Hospital is amazing, in fact I cannot think of a single member of staff at the JR who was anything but dedicated and kind.

Hi, I'm a student midwife at the JR...it's lovely to read of your experiences. We all love and job and do our very best to promote and facilitate the best possible experiences of labour and birth for you all. I too am a mummy...so have great empathy with the importance of this. I can't wait to get up to the Spires for true midwifery led care. Please carry on posting, and I'll keep reading...it's so important to reflect.

Midwife35x

I've just printed my letter and will post it tomorrow. Had my baby there in March and the staff were lovely - especially in delivery. However, they all seemed a bit short of time afterwards and in spite of the special breastfeeding consultant coming along (once, after quite a bit of asking) she just latched my dd on again then when she came off straight away (as had before) said she needed winding. Then walked off. Had no idea how to wind tiny baby, so was not much better off . Fed her fully for 5 months after that, though, so wasn't the end of it...
My friend got so much conflicting advice during her week in there she was going potty by the end of it ...

Gettinthehangofthisatlast, from what I have heard recently (I volunteer with people who work at the JR) there is only one breastfeeding support worker for the whole maternity hospital!