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The award is given to universities who can demonstrate a high standard of infant feeding education in their curriculum.

Two external UNICEF UK assessors interviewed third-year students about various aspects of infant feeding – and particularly supporting mothers with breastfeeding.

After demonstrating their skills and knowledge to the assessors, the students achieved an overall score of 99%.

One assessor gave the following feedback: “It lifts my heart that breastfeeding and midwifery is in safe hands in Sussex and hopefully some of those students will be infant feeding trailblazers of the future.”

Staff and students on the Midwifery degree worked together to achieve the accreditation – an effort that was led by Jenny Hendley and Debbie Gowers. Jenny said: “Receiving this award recognises that our teaching meets the exceptionally high standards of UNICEF UK.

Midwifery students

“Our students are able to provide high quality, sensitive and compassionate support for all families, so that more women who wish to breastfeed are enabled to do so, and all families are supported to develop close and loving relationship.

“We were incredibly impressed by the students’ enthusiasm and commitment and congratulate them for their participation and hard work.”

Of her role in the assessment day, student Laura Rushman said: “Being involved in BFI and learning all the content not only prepared me for skills and assessments as a student midwife but also gave me the knowledge to see me through my career as a midwife.”

Amy Keetley added: “It feels great to be part of the team who helped the university become BFI accredited.”

The university will hold the award for a further three years before it has to be re-accredited. To date, 43% of UK universities have achieved the award.

The Baby Friendly Initiative University Standards programme was developed to ensure that newly qualified midwives and health visitors are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to support breastfeeding effectively.