‘Hands-off’ breastfeeding skill development in a UK, UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative pre-registration midwifery programme

Midwives are very well placed to provide the support that women and babies often require in order to initiate and maintain breastfeeding. However, UK data demonstrates low initiation and continuation rates with mothers complaining of poor support (McAndrew et al 2012). Student midwives are ideally placed to develop these skills and competencies. The release of UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Education Standards (2002) allowed infant feeding to be developed as a core element of student learning. A curriculum review of a three year BSc Midwifery programme in an East Midland English University, therefore occurred.