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.
Enfield's breastfeeding welcome scheme
Enfield’s Breastfeeding Welcome scheme is open to all local venues – from cafés, shops and restaurants to community centres, museums, libraries and leisure centres. Any public venue, business or employer can take part.
The scheme helps breastfeeding families feel confident and supported when they are out and about. It shows that participating venues want parents to have a positive breastfeeding experience.
Breastfeeding in public is protected by law. Parents should never be asked to move, stop feeding or leave. However, some may still feel unsure about how staff will respond. Enfield's breastfeeding welcome scheme gives clear reassurance that they will be welcomed.
Businesses across Enfield can sign up for free. There are no costs and all resources are provided.
What does it involve?
Each venue receives a welcome pack with materials to show they are part of the scheme.
No structural changes are needed. The 2 key requirements are:
- a welcoming atmosphere
- friendly, supportive staff
Why is Enfield supporting breastfeeding?
The NHS recommends that babies have only breastmilk for around the first 6 months, and then continue breastfeeding alongside other foods for as long as parent and child wish.
Many parents feel nervous about breastfeeding outside the home because of embarrassment or negative public attitudes. This can lead to people stopping earlier than they want to. Enfield’s Breastfeeding Welcome scheme helps normalise breastfeeding in public and supports families to breastfeed for as long as they choose.
Sign up or find out more
To sign up your venue, or to get for more information, email enfieldwelcomesbreastfeeding@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk.
Breastfeeding support drop-in
If you need support with breastfeeding, you can come to one of our breastfeeding support drop-ins in Enfield.