Breastfeeding is natural and beneficial but UK rates are low

It’s one of the most natural and beneficial things, but UK rates of breastfeeding are amongst the lowest in the world. That’s why during World Breastfeeding Week (Thursday 1 to Wednesday 7 August), Bradford District Care Trust’s Community Infant Feeding Team is launching the new Bradford District Breastfeeding Friendly scheme to support local mums to breastfeed ‘here, there and everywhere’.

Local organisations from cafes and restaurants, to hairdressers, shopping centres, Family Hubs, transport hubs and leisure facilities, are being encouraged to sign up to the Breastfeeding Friendly initiative, by ensuring their staff understand the importance of breastfeeding, providing a warm welcome for breastfeeding mums and displaying the Breastfeeding Friendly sign on their premises.

Strategic breastfeeding lead for Bradford district Jane Dickens explains: “The theme of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is ‘closing the gap – breastfeeding support for all’ and everyone can help, not just trained health workers. The Breastfeeding Friendly scheme is central to this and important because babies have tiny tummies and when they need feeding, they need feeding right now!

“Although breastfeeding in public is protected by law, if mum is out and about, she can feel uncomfortable and at times unwelcome to breastfeed. That needs to change if we’re to support mums to continue breastfeeding and so reduce the incidence of common childhood illnesses such as ear, chest and gut infections.”

It’s acknowledged by UNICEF, which backs World Breastfeeding Week together with the World Health Organisation, that a supportive breastfeeding culture is central to increasing breastfeeding rates and helping to create that supportive culture is at the heart of Bradford District’s Breastfeeding Strategy.

“We’ve recently been working closely with Start for Life so we can increase the number of Baby Feeding Support Sessions available through Bradford Council’s four Family Hubs – Bradford East, South and West, and Keighley and Shipley.

“Parents and carers can come along to meet others and to get advice and support from our experienced Community Infant Feeding Team members however they are feeding. All are warmly welcomed. The team can answer questions or concerns and refer to specialist support if required.

“We want every single new mum in Bradford district, however she is feeding her baby, to feel she can get the support she needs and to feel confident to breastfeed wherever and whenever her baby needs. We also have our NHS Chat Health number to text with any questions or concerns about feeding and our team will respond – 07312 263233.”

Jane says breastfeeding is so important, but many people may not know why, so she shares these interesting facts:

  • A mother’s body starts making colostrum (first milk) for her baby before the baby is born so the milk is ready for her baby from birth.
  • Colostrum (first milk) is full of special antibodies to help protect a baby’s health and develop their immune system.
  • During breastfeeding both baby and mum enjoy skin to skin contact and produce the feel -good hormone oxytocin, which lowers stress and anxiety.
  • Breastfeeding supports the development of healthy gut bacteria, which sets a healthy immune system up for life.
  • Breastmilk contains antibodies tailored to help babies fight infections such as ear, chest and gut infections.
  • Its free to breastfeed.

For more information about breastfeeding and support provided by the Community Infant Feeding Team, including local Baby Feeding Support Sessions, please visit the Better Lives, Healthy Futures Family Health Services website.