|
National Breastfeeding Awareness Week is a nationwide annual event that has taken place since 1993. Run by the Department of Health, the week aims to highlight that breastfeeding is the healthiest feeding option for babies and mothers. This year's week will be from 11-17 May. The campaign will be encouraging mothers from all backgrounds to initiate and continue to breastfeed their babies. It will focus on encouraging women to access the support that will help them to breastfeed for longer, and the strapline, 'Breastfeeding: every day makes a difference to your baby', reflects the message that each day a women continues to breastfeed is another day the child receives important health benefits from its mother's milk. Locally, Basingstoke Midwives and Breastfeeding support volunteers from The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) are going to celebrate Breast Feeding Awareness Week at First Steps mothers and toddlers group. At this group The Nest operates on a Tuesday and Thursday morning between 10 and 12md. The Nest is a breastfeeding drop-in, where there are 2 trained Breastfeeding Network Supporters available for mums. Senior midwife and breast feeding clinical specialist, Helen Allen, explained, "Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for babies, and where possible breast feeding for the first six months provides the best start for infants. It establishes a foundation for improving short and long-term health. We are very lucky locally to have the support of the breast feeding network where volunteers continue to support women in their decision to breastfeed and help them continue to do so. We are inviting all health professionals, and any mums who have used the Nest in the past 2 years since it was set up, to join us on Thursday 15th May. The Nest, Brighton Hill, is in Basingstoke Baptist Church hall, Gershwin Road. There is another Nest at Chineham Christ Church hall, Mondays, between 10 and11.30am, during a Health Visitor Clinic. "We shall also be focusing on promoting breastfeeding in the maternity unit and will ask those mums who have their babies during breastfeeding awareness week their thoughts about breastfeeding. We shall use the information we gain to support how we continue to plan our future service." As of April 2008, the Child Health Public Service Agreement includes a measurement of breastfeeding prevalence at six to eight weeks. This is the first time breastfeeding rates have been reported on duration, as well as initiation and these figures will be reported by Primary care Trust's on a quarterly basis. The breast feeding initiation rates for April 2008 were 80% which is the highest rates the Foundation Trust has recorded. During the breast feeding awareness week, the Department of Health will launch an exciting consumer campaign targeting young mothers aged 16 to 25 years. The Breast Buddy initiative, fronted by celebrity mum and Atomic Kitten member Jenny Frost, is aimed at encouraging young mums to get emotional and practical support, by nominating a buddy from within their circle of friends and family. The initiative is not intended to replace the advice of healthcare professionals or trained counsellors, but to provide additional emotional support. Young mothers who sign up to the Breast Buddy initiative will receive an information pack including the Department of Health leaflet ‘Breastfeeding: Off to the Best Start' and a fridge magnet featuring the three breastfeeding helplines (National Breastfeeding Helpline, La Leche League and National Childbirth Trust). Mother and buddy will also receive texts of encouragement for the first few months. www.northhampshire.nhs.uk |
