26th February 2008

Mothers who attend antenatal classes are more likely to breastfeed their children, research has suggested.

An Edinburgh University study found that 75% of mothers who attended all or most of their antenatal classes went on to breastfeed.

That compared with 51% of mothers who did not attend classes.

More than 8,000 Scottish mothers were interviewed for the study, carried out by the university's Centre for Research on Families and Relationships.

Previous research has shown that age and educational background are linked to breastfeeding figures.

This study found 86% of mothers with degrees breastfed their children, compared with 31% of mothers with no qualifications.

It also suggested that antenatal classes tripled the chances of breastfeeding, regardless of these factors.

The data, which covered the period between 2002 and 2005, found that two thirds of mothers in Scotland chose to breastfeed.

Valeria Skafida, the researcher who led the study, said: "This research shows that having access to accurate information is crucial in a mother's decision to breastfeed and that antenatal classes make a big difference in giving children the best start in life.

"More research is needed to understand how take-up can be increased in groups that are under-represented."

Studies have shown that babies who are breast-fed are less likely to be obese in later life and gain protection against conditions like asthma, eczema and chest infections.

Mothers also benefit, with studies showing a protective effect against ovarian and breast cancer.

(Source BBC News website)

14th February 2008

A breastfeeding helpline to support new mothers has been officially launched by the Government.

Public health minister Dawn Primarolo announced a £150,000 year package for the advice line to give women practical support and information.

A new report published by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), suggests a need for more support for new mothers.

It looks at the Infant Feeding Survey of 2005, which showed breast feeding rates went up from 69% in 2000 to 76% in 2005 across the UK. However, only half of women in England were still breastfeeding after six weeks.

The Government cash will help support the new helpline, which will be run by two existing networks.

The Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, which receive around 28,000 combined calls each year on breastfeeding, will merge and run the advice line.

The Government hopes the newly-created National Breastfeeding Helpline will be able to handle a far higher number of calls than either organisation on their won.

The new helpline number is 0844 20 909 20.

Of course, those who live in the Gateshead area can get help and support by coming along to one of our Bosom Buddies groups.

12th July 2007

Women would get the legal right to breastfeed in public, under a new law being proposed by the government.

The World Health Organization recommends women exclusively breastfeed their babies for six months, but it is thought only one fifth of women do so.

Ms Baum, founder of Express Yourself Mums, told the BBC: "A woman needs to have the confidence that she isn't going to be asked to stop."

And Labour MP David Kidney, who is part of a coalition of groups that support breastfeeding, told BBC News it was shocking that some people took offence at seeing a woman breastfeeding her child when "you can go into any newsagents and see women baring their breasts in magazines".

He added: "I think those people that take offence should lighten up and realise that this is the best thing for our children and our mums."

17th May 2007

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. We would like women to recognise their right to breastfeed at any time in any place. We also want friends, family and health professionals to provide support for breastfeeding.

Find out more information at the NHS Breastfeeding website.

24th April 2007

The Breastfeeding Manifesto was produced in 2006 in consultation with over twenty UK organisations working to improve awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding and its role in reducing health inequalities. During this year’s National Breastfeeding Week, the Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition have come together with the aim of attracting more than half of all MPs across the UK to add their support to the Manifesto.

To do this we are mobilising thousands of supporters across the country asking them to send their MP a specially-designed postcard urging them to add their name in support of the Manifesto.

If you have not already received a postcard to send you can download one by visiting http://www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk/doc/Lobby_postcard_digital.pdf. Print and send it off to your MP to ensure they sign up. (If you’re not sure who your MP is you can find out by visiting www.upmystreet.com/commons/l/)

On 16 May itself, representatives from the Coalition will be in the House of Commons speaking to journalists and parliamentarians and we are delighted that Unicef Ambassador Jemima Khan will be joining us on the launch day to put a face to the campaign and help us get the message out.

We want to ensure decision-makers in Government know that if the seven objectives outlined in the Manifesto are implemented, it would result in a dramatic uplift in the number of UK mothers who are able to make fully informed choices about how to feed their babies and receive proper support. While also saving the NHS millions.

03 July, 2006 03:07 GMT

Victoria's Secret got a lesson in what female breasts are for, this weekend as mothers across the US participated in mall 'nurse-ins.' The women were protesting two incidents in which Victoria's Secret employees told mothers to use a bathroom to breastfeed their babies. Saturday was a day of protest against Victoria's Secret as mothers gathered to nurse their babies in front of the sexy lingerie stores at malls across the US. The women were expressing solidarity with two mothers who were told by Victoria's Secret staff to use bathrooms to breastfeed their infants in separate incidents in Wisconsin and Massachusetts.

In both cases, the mothers reportedly had asked to use dressing rooms but were turned down. Both refused the employees' alternative suggestions by asserting, in essence, that a bathroom was not a suitable place for anyone to eat.

Yes Victoria, Breasts Are for Feeding

For further information, click on the link below

22 May 2006

The Department of Health’s National Infant Feeding Survey has found dramatic increases in breastfeeding for the first time across the UK. UNICEF UK is congratulating health professionals who have been striving to improve the care provided for breastfeeding mothers. The latest results are testimony to their hard work in adopting best practice.

The Survey shows that 76% of mothers initiated breastfeeding in 2005 compared with 69% in 2000. The initiation rates for all four countries of the UK have risen, with 78 per cent of mothers in England, 70 per cent in Scotland, 67 per cent in Wales and 63 per cent in Northern Ireland starting to breastfeed. Some of the increase can be accounted for by the changes in age and educational profile of the mothers, but even after standardising the results to take into account these changes, breastfeeding rates in all countries have increased. In England this is the first statistically significant increase since the 1970s

Over the past five years UNICEF has trained over 10,000 health professionals in the skills they need to help mothers breastfeed successfully. There are now 144 health care facilities with a UNICEF Baby Friendly award or a Certificate of Commitment. However, there is still no room for complacency and it is hoped that these results will provide a springboard for future improvements.

For the full report click on the link below.

18 January 2006

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has concluded that the division of tongue tie to help babies with this condition to breastfeed is safe enough and works well enough for use in the NHS.

For more information click on the link below.

A study of 216 women has found that breastfeeding may protect against negative moods and perceived stress. Breastfeeding mothers had more positive moods, reported more positive events, and perceived less stress than formula-feeders. Reports of stressful life events were generally equivalent in the two groups.

For more information click on the link below.