Healthcare organisations urge Northamptonshire to break down breastfeeding barriers

As part of Northamptonshire Breastfeeding Celebration Month, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) and First for Wellbeing is sharing practical tips on how the county can all play our part in supporting breastfeeding.

Diana Mair, the infant feeding lead 0-19 team at NHFT, said: “Breastfeeding is not just the responsibility of new mums - it’s the responsibility of all of us.

"Many mums feel judged, however, they decide to feed their babies and there are lots of barriers to breastfeeding. We know that the majority of mums start breastfeeding - however, lots of mum stop breastfeeding quite quickly, often before they want to. Evidence based professional help and support is important, and mums tell us they can sometimes feel a lack of support from friends and family or from the wider community. We can all play our part in supporting mums to feel more comfortable and empowered to breastfeed.

“It might not seem like much but helping look after breastfeeding mums, offering to do some housework or speaking up for her if anyone criticises her choices can all make a big difference. For a mum to breastfeed she needs people around her who believe it’s important and believes she can do it.”

This is part of the organisation's ambitions to build a breastfeeding community here in Northamptonshire.

NHFT delivers a range of physical and mental health services delivered to users own homes, through GP practices, clinics, schools, prisons and in residential and hospital environments.

Ann Breen, strategic manager 0-19 years, public health and wellbeing, said: “It is not just individuals that have a part to play in building a breastfeeding community, businesses have a critical role too.

"We want to make breastfeeding commonplace across businesses so that it is seen as the norm and not something unusual. By making it clear that people are welcome to feed and advocating for mums if other customers complain you will be helping to support and encourage breastfeeding mums.

“Employers can make a difference as well by acknowledging what Mum is doing is important and making flexible arrangements to help ensure they can carry on breastfeeding."

Breastfeeding tip sheets for members of the public, businesses interacting with the public and employers can be found on the breastfeeding section of the 0-19 team website: www.nhft.nhs.uk/0-19 as well as details of where to get professional help and support.