CROYDON University Hospital (CUH) is now more baby-friendly than ever, after being recognised for the support it gives new mums wanting to breastfeed.
CUH has passed stage two in the process to become a Unicef Baby Friendly Hospital, the internationally-recognised gold standard for breastfeeding support.
Croydon Health Services (CHS), the trust which runs the hospital, gives new mums advice and help before and after birth so they can choose to breastfeed when possible.
They also support mums in the community through baby cafes and mum "peer supporters", who offer one-to-one help with breast feeding.
Research shows that children who are breastfed are less likely to suffer from conditions like diabetes and allergies.
Catherine Tempest, who gave birth to her daughter Josephine at CUH in May, said help from midwives and from baby cafes in the community meant she was able to breastfeed Josephine as she wanted to.
Ms Tempest said: "At three months old my daughter had a breastfeeding strike where she refused to feed.
"The cafes provided really good support with this. If you're having any difficulties, there is always somewhere to offer help, which is great."
Ann Morling, director of midwifery, said CHS was grateful to their peer supporters who have experience of breastfeeding themselves.
She said: "I am extremely proud of our achievement and our team, who have worked very hard."
Recent CHS figures show 96 per cent of women would recommend the maternity services, which had a £629,000 refurbishment in 2013, to their friends and family.
