National Breastfeeding Awareness week, in June, is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of mothers who breastfeed their babies, giving them the best possible start to life.
The theme for this year’s campaign “More than milk”, focuses on the amazing properties of breastmilk which constantly adapts to an infants growing needs. Artificial formula milk is no comparison as breastmilk contains live and active ingredients which cannot be artificially replicated. These include antibodies and viral fragments which reduce the risk of some infection, promote healthy gut development, contain hormones and enzymes, all of which help the baby to digest the milk easily and absorb all the essential nutrients. A mother’s milk will change from day to day, in response to any sources of potential infection that she comes into contact with, protecting her baby through the production of antibodies.
Health professionals from NHS Plymouth and Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust are joining families from across the city to support events which recognise this unique relationship between a mother and her baby. All of the Children’s Centres in Plymouth provide information, support and encouragement to mothers who would like to know more about breastfeeding or who want to get to know other breastfeeding mothers in a relaxed environment. The network, of over 14 breastfeeding groups, known as Plymouth latch-on groups, offer access to skilled peer supporters and health professionals. The groups are primarily a social meeting place, where mothers can feel comfortable about breastfeeding and also a valuable resource for mothers who may need some additional support or guidance, e.g. breastfeeding twins, a premature baby or an infant with a cleft lip/palate.
The 2010 infant feeding survey, conducted every five years on behalf of the Department of Health, released new figures this week, which show a significant rise in breastfeeding rates. Nationally the number of mothers choosing to initiate breastfeeding has risen from 69% in 2000 to 81% in 2010. This news has been welcomed by UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI), who have supported NHS hospitals and community service to improve the standard of care and information provided to all new mothers. NHS Plymouth is currently working towards their stage 2 assessment, whilst Derriford maternity unit are progressing towards the final stage 3 assessment.
All staff supporting mothers and babies have received additional training and resources to ensure that the quality of care provided remains high. There has been a significant increase in the number of mothers and babies who choose to have early, uninterrupted, skin to skin contact with their newborn. Research has shown that this helps the mother and babies, heart and respiratory rate to stabilise, stimulates the baby to feed and encourages healthy skin flora to grow, which provides protection against some infections. It also has the added benefit of stimulating the release of maternal hormones, which promote bonding and the production of breastmilk.
Jan Potter, Breastfeeding Lead for NHS Plymouth, said: “Over the past 10 years we have seen a steady increase in breastfeeding initiation rates across the UK. Much of this can be attributed to the implementation of UNICEF baby friendly initiative standards. Here in Plymouth we are confident that the high standard of information, support and variety of resources, will help mothers to have a positive breastfeeding experience. Choosing to breastfeed undoubtedly gives an infant the best possible start in lfe, with protection from chronic illness such as diabetes and obesity lasting into adulthood. We are working hard in Plymouth to ensure that mothers receive all the information they need to make an informed feeding choice. The latch-on groups that operate right across the city are a great way for mothers to enjoy the support of other breastfeeding mothers as well as from health professionals.