By Joycellyn Akuffo
The Breastfeeding Network has launched a new helpline to support breastfeeding mums (0844 20 909 20).
The helpline, which is backed with ?150,000 a year from the Department of Health will give breastfeeding mums in the UK practical support and information.
Studies have shown that breastfed babies are less likely to become obese in later childhood and that breastfeeding can prevent mothers having health problems later in life.
The recently launched obesity strategy outlines how the government aims to make breastfeeding the norm by providing the helpline but also by investing in an information campaign, encouraging maternity units to promote and encourage breastfeeding and developing a best practice code for employers and businesses to facilitate breastfeeding.
Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies, and the Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding of babies up to the age of six months, with continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods after six months.
But a new report published today by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), shows that breastfeeding mums need access to more support.
The report examines the Infant Feeding Survey of 2005 and shows that, although the number of breastfeeding mums in the UK went up from 69% in 2000 to 76% 2005, only 50% of mums continue to breastfeed after six weeks.
The SACN report, written by experts in child health and nutrition, highlights the need to increase the awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding among mothers, and to provide more support for mums so they can breastfeed for longer. There is clear evidence that adequate support to breastfeeding mothers in the first few weeks is likely to increase the duration of breastfeeding.
Mothers who often have problems during the early weeks of breastfeeding will now get support through an easily accessible national helpline.
Dawn Primarolo, public health minister said: “When it comes to feeding babies, breast is best. Our challenge is to help new mums who choose to breastfeed, through those early difficult weeks and months. That’s why we have launched this new helpline to give new mums support so they can breast feed for longer.
“Our aim is to increase the number of mums breastfeeding for longer, and we will monitor progress at six to eight weeks. Local health authorities will gather this information and report back every quarter.”
Sue Ashmore, programme director for UNICEF?s UK Baby Friendly Initiative said: “UNICEF very much welcomes the introduction of a National Breastfeeding Helpline. There is a great deal of evidence to show that mothers who receive support from someone who believes they can successfully breastfeed continue to breastfeed for longer.
?The national helpline will provide easily accessible reassurance, support and practical help to all mothers in the UK and so will help to keep mothers breastfeeding who may otherwise have stopped.”
RESOURCES
Breastfeeding Network
