The UNICEF BFI Conference is a highlight annually for all infant feeding staff. This year, the conference was held in the beautiful city of Liverpool and for the 12 strong contingent from Highland to attend it, it meant a very early start.
When the alarm goes off at 4am there are no words! Meeting at the airport at 6am after a few pick ups, we all congregated to get through security. With me was Arlene; our breastfeeding co-ordinator, Louise; who was our admin support, Lana, Elise, Terri, Victoria, Kerrie & Kerri; who are infant feeding support workers and Cara & Nanette; who volunteer as breastfeeding peers. Last but not least was the beautifully handsome Euan, Nanette’s 11 week-old baby who was a delight to have with us.
So after a flight to Manchester, we got on the first of two trains to Liverpool and then a taxi ride to the venue. Having missed the opening presentations, we put our poster up in the main hall and awaited everyone to come out for coffee. Our poster was highlighting the fantastic work undertaken by peers and infant feeding support workers in using Facebook to deliver ante natal education to women in Highland and it proved very popular with the attendees at the conference.
Meeting colleagues from Scotland and other parts of the UK has to prove to be the most beneficial part of the UNICEF conference as the experience is tangible in the room.
So on to the conference and the best bits have to be –
- Professor Renee Flacking discussing the impact of the neonatal environment on the long term impact of neonatal care – seeing what is available within Sweden is something that within Highland is certainly a wish for the future.
- Frances Mason discussing why the formula industry must clean up its act in relation to child hunger and poverty – even more poignant when we realise that in the UK our poverty within children is increasing.
- Janet Calvert discussing her #notsorrymums campaign in Northern Ireland and the fantastic effect it had on increasing breastfeeding rates.
- Our own Linda Wolfson showcasing the fantastic work underway just now in Scotland and how we can now build further on success.
- Dr Helen Crawley from first steps nutrition has to be one of the most inspirational people in the world of infant feeding currently and she discussed the findings from the APPG Infant feeidng and inequalities report – she was joined on stage by Alison Thewliss MP another star in the breastfeeding world.
- Kajsa Brimdyr gave a brilliant presentation on the wonders of skin to skin – I don’t think I heard a pin drop throughout her whole presentation – truly inspirational.
That was my highlights of the conference and sadly we had to leave before the last speaker on day 2 to start our epic journey home again. Liverpool is a great place to visit and I think the Cavern will hold a special place for some of my infant feeding support workers, but most of all we have all returned wanting to improve and move forward in our breastfeeding journey.
