Dorset County Hospital is to be officially recognised as a baby-friendly hospital.

Dorset director of public health Dr Adrian Dawson will be at the Dorchester hospital on Wednesday, February 29, to present a Baby Friendly Award from UNICEF.

The Baby Friendly Initiative aims to provide improved care for mothers and babies across the world and in the UK focuses on ensuring mothers and babies receive high quality support to enable successful breastfeeding.

Clinical lead midwife at Dorset County Hospital Linda Walters said: “We decided to join forces with UNICEF UK’s Baby Friendly Initiative to increase breastfeeding rates and to improve care for all mothers at Dorset County Hospital.

“Breastfeeding protects babies against a wide range of serious illnesses including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy as well as allergies and diabetes in childhood.

“We also know that breastfeeding reduces the mother’s risk of some cancers – although mums might be more interested in hearing that it is easier, cheaper and simply less hassle than bottle feeding.”

The Baby Friendly Award is given to hospitals after an assessment by a UNICEF team has shown that recognised best practice standards are in place.

Baby Friendly Initiative programme director Sue Ashmore said: “We are delighted Dorset County Hospital has achieved full Baby Friendly status.”

“Surveys show us that most mothers want to breastfeed but don’t always get the support they need.”