Breastfeeding support
The first 1,000 days (from conception to 2 years) plays a critical role in how your baby develops, grows and learns, not just now but for their entire life.
Breastfeeding can make a big difference to the health of a baby and its mother in the short and long-term. A mother’s milk is perfectly made for a baby’s growing needs, and is packed full of disease-fighting antibodies to help protect babies from illness. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until around 6 months of age, continuing for as long as the mother and baby wish whilst gradually introducing a more varied diet.
Websites
Here are some trustworthy websites for information on breastfeeding, including how to get started, overcoming common problems and other information that you might need:
Local support
Some mothers may need help to breastfeed, especially in the early stages following childbirth. Your midwife, health visitor and GP will also have information on local support.
For breastfeeding support and information, visit National Breastfeeding Helpline or call them on 0300 100 0212.
Apps
For fast, friendly, anytime, trusted NHS advice on breastfeeding, message the Start4Life Breastfeeding Friend chatbot.
Baby Buddy is a free app developed by experts in the field, including midwives, health visitors and doctors. Baby Buddy is your personal baby expert who will guide you through your pregnancy and the first 6 months of your baby’s life.
Baby Friendly Initiative
In the UK, more than 73% of mothers start breastfeeding yet by 3 months only 17% of babies are exclusively breastfed. The World Health Organisation recommends that all babies are exclusively breastfed for 6 months. The UK has some of the lowest rates in the world with only 34% of babies receiving any breastmilk at 6 months in comparison to 71% in Norway.
The benefits of breastfeeding are numerous, and these benefits follow babies through to adulthood. A mother’s breastmilk is perfectly designed for their baby, protecting them from infections and diseases, lowering their risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) as well as obesity. There are benefits for breastfeeding mothers too, including; lowering the risk of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity.
In the UK, 8 out of 10 women stop breastfeeding before they want to and this is largely due to a lack of support and information. There is a culture of bottle-feeding which is compounded by formula companies who use misleading advertising to present infant formula as ‘just as good’ as breastmilk and claim benefits that go way beyond nutritional value. The conversation must move away from blaming and shaming individual mothers and recognise that this is a major public health issue that requires action across government, public health and local authorities.
The Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) is a UNICEF scheme that enables public services to support families with feeding, developing close, loving relationships and giving babies the best possible start in life. BFI is not anti-formula feeding but their aim is to ensure that all parents receive the proper information to make an informed decision. BFI wants to ensure that all mothers are supported to breastfeed or, if they choose to bottle-feed, are supported to do this in the safest possible way.
Enfield Council has been working with Enfield’s Health Visiting Service to become Baby Friendly accredited. This week, UNICEF visited the Civic Centre to talk about the accreditation and its benefits, work through the action plan and discuss any challenges or barriers to becoming Baby Friendly. The Health Visiting Service has received the 'Certificate of Commitment' and can now move onto Stage 1 which will make sure that the service has a firm foundation, putting in place all necessary policies and developing a strong training plan for staff.
If you would like more information about breastfeeding or support visit NHS - benefits of breastfeeding or UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative.
Breastfeeding welcome scheme
The Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme encourages businesses to welcome breastfeeding on their premises. Although women have the right to breastfeed anywhere, they may not feel welcome to do so in certain places. The Breastfeeding Welcome sticker sends a clear message to breastfeeding mums that they are welcome to breastfeed on the premises.
We are inviting businesses across Enfield to sign up to this initiative to support local mums, while promoting your business and expressing your commitment to the community.
What does it involve?
Businesses signing up to the campaign will be asked to meet set criteria and support will be provided to help achieve this. A welcome pack, including promotional materials to inform breastfeeding mothers they are part of the scheme, will be issued. Each business will also be added to a list of participating premises on our website.
Breastfeeding café
Drop-in breastfeeding advice sessions take place at Palace Gardens every Wednesday.
This is run by midwives and a specialist Health Visitor with no need to book.
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 1pm to 3pm
Culture Palace
38-40 Shopping Precinct
Palace Gardens
Enfield
EN2 6SN
Located between Monsoon and The Body Shop stores, opposite The Sony Centre and Scrivens.
Any questions, please call 07816 364361 or 07929 744696.