Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has been shown to have substantial benefits for babies in their first weeks and in the longer term (beyond the period of breastfeeding). Breast milk is the best form of nutrition for infants and protects babies from infections. It also provides the right nutrients as babies develop and grow and is recommended for the first six months (26 weeks) of an infant's life.

What is the national target for breastfeeding initiation?

The national target for breastfeeding is to increase the breastfeeding initiation rate by two percentage points every year, focusing especially on women from disadvantaged groups.

What are the rates of breastfeeding in Newcastle?

Continued work on the Breastfeeding Action Plan has continued, particularly in targeted areas where rates are lowest.
In 2008/9 Sure Start Children’s Centres funding provided midwifery support for baby café, citywide midwife post, breastfeeding peer support coordinator and volunteer Peer support training. This investment has helped improve breastfeeding rates.
There are at least 55 women with La Leche training, who are currently providing peer support, including 10 women from BME communities. Peer supporter services are now available across Newcastle either by telephone or face to face and offer support in a range of spoken languages.
Baby cafés are drop in centres freely accessible to pregnant women and mothers needing support with breastfeeding.
A Breastfeeding Peer Support Coordinator role has been established and works closely with the Sure Start Children’s centre midwife to provide information and support to parents and to coordinate breastfeeding activities across the city

What have we done to improve the rates of breastfeeding?

The rate of breastfeeding is increasing and the Breastfeeding Action plan is progressing well, including:

Peer support coordinator in post;
Baby cafes supported in the North and West of the city;
Data subgroup set up; and
Processes to feedback data to GPs and Health visitors in place.

What will we do next?

Achieve the UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation in Newcastle Hospitals and appropriate community facilities.

A communications and media strategy will promote breastfeeding, including social marketing. It will require high profile, prolonged and sustained initiatives to effect culture change.

Continue to improve data capture.

Improve relevant training to GPs and other health professionals.

Expand breastfeeding peer -support in communities including Children’s Centres and baby cafes.

Partners

Related information

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment - shared online information resource for everyone who commissions, provides or uses health, social and children's services in the city

Maternity Partnership

NHS website

Family Services Directory