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£1 Million for Breastfeeding
The NHS in the West Midlands is benefitting from £1.3m investment to increase rates of breastfeeding.
The investment will help PCT (NHS bodies that buy healthcare services) adhere to Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) standards; a UNICEF UK programme which outlines the minimum service standards for infant feeding and provide effective support to families.
Seven PCTs across the West Midlands were granted up to £100,000 each last year after successful bids for funding were placed in November 2008. The same sum was granted to a further six PCTs in second round of funding during November 2009.
Currently 76.5% of babies are initially breastfed in the West Midlands, compared to 76% nationwide. This new investment will support women who have started to breastfeed to continue. In England, the numbers of babies still receiving breast milk at six to eight weeks is relatively low.
The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to the age of six months, with continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods after six months.
Caroline Mansell, Regional Infant Feeding Coordinator, Department of Health West Midlands said:
“The funding from the Department of Health will enable the NHS and Children’s Centres to work together to continue to increase the numbers of women breastfeeding in the region.”
“Encouraging mothers to breastfeed is very important as it reduces the risk of babies developing illness and can also reduce the risk of excess weight gain in childhood and later life.
The Baby Friendly Initiative provides best practice guidance to help health care facilities ensure all parents are able to make informed decisions about feeing their babies”.
The investment will enable PCTs to increase the uptake of breastfeeding and meet national targets in the funded areas to increase rates in babies aged six-eight weeks of age by 6% over two years.
Work to improve rates includes employing full time infant feeding coordinators into Maternity Services, PCTs and community health areas and implementing focussed work alongside Children’s Centres, Voluntary Organisations local breastfeeding peer supporters. The Department of Health funding encourages whole PCT areas to work together on this agenda to provide in-depth support.
The NHS is committed to the Baby Friendly Initiative as part of the Healthy Child Programme, the obesity strategy and the health inequalities strategy.
To access your local infant feeding coordinator and support services visit www.infantfeedingwm.org.uk for more information or, alternatively, make contact with their local midwife, health advisor or peer support.
The National Breastfeeding Helpline: 00300 100 2121 can also offer valuable support from volunteers in your local area.