2nd August 2024
In support of World Breastfeeding Week (#WorldBreastfeedingWeek #WBW2024) – 1-7 August, we are delighted to share this blog by Catherine Hine, CEO at The Breastfeeding Network (BfN).
Catherine Hine, CEO at the Breastfeeding Network (BfN)
This World Breastfeeding Week, we at The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) invite iHV members to partner with us so that all mothers, parents and families can access information and support they can trust to make and fulfil their infant feeding choices.
In the UK, we know that more than 8 out of 10 mothers start breastfeeding, yet more than 6 out of 10 then stop before they want to1. Women living in more deprived areas or from under-served communities are significantly less likely to access the trusted infant feeding information and support they want and need.
At The Breastfeeding Network (BfN), we know that health visitor colleagues are key partners in supporting women and families. We welcome the commitment of the incoming Labour government to train additional health visitors and to recognise the skilled role you play in helping families access and benefit from the appropriate, integrated and person-centred care they need2. When resourced and working well, we experience first-hand the deep understanding and long-term, trusting relationships that you form with families. These are crucial ingredients in supporting mothers and families to feed their infants and young children as they want to.
We also know that, as health visitors, your remit is huge. Many families you work with need the support of a joined-up network of health and social care professionals, educationalists, workplaces, councils, housing and welfare officers and many more. This World Breastfeeding Week, I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight that BfN is here to work with you in supporting families.
Our services are free to all families, whatever their circumstances. We are committed to supporting access to independent, evidence-based information and consistently high-quality, safe services delivered by mums or parents with breastfeeding experience themselves, free from judgment. My BfN colleagues are volunteers and staff with direct personal experience of breastfeeding, who have completed externally accredited training, attend ongoing CPD and receive regular supervision.
By working together, we can ensure all families can access infant feeding services they can trust and BfN can assist you in the huge, yet vital, role you have in supporting children and families to be safe, healthy and able to thrive:
The National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212, which we run with The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, offers infant feeding information and support, round the clock, 365 days per year. Between 09:30am and 09:30pm daily we also offer support via Instagram and Facebook, online webchat services and helpline services in other languages including Welsh, Polish, Bengali and Sylheti.
Drugs in Breastmilk Information Service (https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/) BfN’s team of volunteer registered pharmacists have also completed accredited training with us. They answer email and Facebook questions from parents and professionals about medication and treatments whilst breastfeeding and maintain a peer-reviewed library of factsheets on some of the most common questions we receive.
The NHS and local authorities commission BfN in many areas of the UK to run peer support services through local teams of trained staff and volunteers. These services meet the standards set by NICE3. In many areas, we are already working very closely with health visitor colleagues. You can find out more about these services here.
By law, women and parents can breastfeed in all public places. To help public venues and organisations support breastfeeding in their community, BfN also runs a popular national Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme. Venues can sign up free of charge and BfN provides opportunities for them to improve their knowledge and practice. You can find out more here.
BfN also offer a range of training options to improve understanding, knowledge and skills on breastfeeding and infant feeding. You can find out more about them here.
Catherine Hine, CEO at The Breastfeeding Network (BfN)
References
- McAndrew F, Thompson J, Fellows L, Large A, Speed M, Renfrew MJ (2012) Infant Feeding Survey 2010, Health and Social Care Information Centre
- Labour Party (2024): Five Missions for a Better Britain: Build an NHS Fit for the Future
- NICE (2018) Maternal and child nutrition. Public health guideline PH11
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph11/chapter/Key-priorities
