Breastfeeding Peer Support Service
Breastfeeding peer support has been shown to be highly successful in helping women initiate and sustain breastfeeding for longer (NCT, 2009) and it is recognised as a key strategy in normalising breastfeeding. Therefore this valuable service will be a great support to mothers in Hull, helping them initiate and sustain exclusive or partial breastfeeding for longer.
Goodwin has embarked on an exciting new project to give women and their babies the best possible start to life.
Breastfeeding is the ideal way to feed a baby and the World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months followed by a gradual introduction of solid foods combined with breastfeeding for as long as the mother wants, ideally for a year and beyond. The benefits to both the mother and the baby are extensive, with babies developing less allergies and infections and also long term conditions like diabetes, asthma and heart disease are reduced. Mothers who breastfeed have less incidences of breast and ovarian cancer, reduced risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, strokes and high blood pressure.
In England, the number of women choosing to breastfeed their babies at birth is around 78% (Infant Feeding Survey, 2005) but in Hull the average in 2008/2009 was 56%, so comparatively very low. Nationwide, the incidence of women continuing to exclusively breastfeed at 6 months is less than 1% (Infant Feeding Survey, 2005). However, 90% of mums who gave up breastfeeding before 6 weeks would have liked to continue for longer (NICE, 2009), so why are they giving up? Was it an informed choice, lack of information or lack of support?
In 2008, the Government pledged an extra £2 million to increase breastfeeding rates and achieve UNICEF Baby Friendly status in more disadvantaged areas and the NHS followed by aiming to increase breastfeeding initiation rates by 2% each year (NICE, 2009). Hull is actively aiming for UNICEF accreditation in both the hospital and the community.
The first round of training for new peer supporters commenced on the 19th January 2010. The volunteers follow a 7 week training course, accredited to OCN level 2. The peer supporters will then be integrated into the current antenatal and postnatal support services for pregnant and new mums. They will offer community support groups, a telephone help line, provide information and support through the children’s centre’s and at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. All peer supporters have to have breastfed themselves for a minimum of 2 months and will need to complete the training course and workbooks before they are able to support other mothers. They will also receive level one child protection and have a current CRB check.
I hope that this service will be warmly received and welcomed by all and that we get lots of referrals in to the service. Any referrals can be made by ringing Caroline Wiggins. Email Caroline: cwiggins@goodwin-centre.org. Breastfeeding Peer Support Coordinator at Little Stars Children’s Centre on (01482) 790277. Any breastfeeding mother wanting telephone support should ring our helpline on 07980 731013, which is open 8am-10pm daily.
Breast Feeding group
follow us on twitter