Going baby Friendly – Why Breastfeeding is important to all of us Jacky Syme Infant Feeding Network Lead – East of England

The Baby Friendly Initiative Promoting health and wellbeing for all babies

Best interest of allchildren

Father/Partner Family/Friends Community Mother and baby at the centre

Evidence!

The Baby Friendly Initiative Standards

Health visiting standards Support for pregnant women Continued breastfeeding Informed decisions re other food for babies Close and loving relationships

Children’s centre standards Support for pregnant women Support for infant feeding Close and loving relationships

Support for pregnant women Provide information about the benefits and management of breastfeeding One to One discussion by 34 weeks Group opportunities – Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond, DH 2010 Audit pregnant women’s experiences

Why breastfeeding is important For BabiesFor mothers GastroenteritisBreast Cancer Chest InfectionsOvarian Cancer Ear infectionsOsteoporosis DiabetesClose loving relationships Heart Disease Obesity Secure attachments and bonding

Support for infant feeding and continued breastfeeding Show mothers how to breastfeed – Skin to skin contact – Positioning and attachment Help them to maintain breastfeeding – Keep mothers and babies together – Responsive feeding – Avoid bottles teats and dummies Provide facilities to offer support Audit pregnant women’s experiences

Responsive feeding A sensitive reciprocal relationship between a mother and her baby. A mother responds to her baby when he shows feeding cues he is distressed or lonely her breasts are full she simply wants a sit down and cuddle Breastfed babies cannot be overfed or ‘spoiled’ by frequent feeding!

Oxytocin and Cortisol Oxytocin - fertiliser for the brain Cortisol – prunes back brain growth

Responsive bottle feeding Hold baby close Encourage rooting Invite her to take teat Pace the feed Never force a ‘full’ feed Limit who gives the feeds

Maximising breastmilk Discuss options and agree plan Try to avoid supplements until breastfeeding established Keep night feeds as breastfeeds Restrict number/amount formula given Keep the ‘door’ open

Creating facilities to make it happen- Baby Brasseries Groups for breastfeeding mums, Children’s centre based Strict criteria Facilitated jointly by HV’s and CC’s

Creating facilities to make it happen- Out, about and breastfeeding Working with environmental Health Inspectors All cafes bars and restaurants in Bedfordshire Leaflets, posters and web based advertising to mums

Creating facilities to make it happen- Bedfordshire Breastfeeding Buddies Breastfeeding mums who want to help Peer support model Buddies help at Baby Brasseries or clinics Supervised and supported by Baby friendly Team

Achieving Baby Friendly Achieving all the standards Developing further to improve services Auditing regularly and continually training Bringing everyone together – partnership working

Building on good practice Promising – Good - Excellent Innovations to improve care Advanced Beacon

Thank you