Agenda item

Update on the work to implement the Breastfeeding Friendly Borough Declaration

Sam Longley, Public Health Specialist, to present

Jaimee Wylam, Public Health Registrar, on behalf of Sam Longley, Public Health Specialist, presented the submitted report with the aid of the following powerpoint presentation:-

The Declaration

-        “The Health and Wellbeing Board is committed to protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding through advocacy to the whole of its population whether they be a member of the public or member of staff.

To achieve this, we support the implementation of a Breastfeeding Borough, which includes some of the measures from the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) and adapt these to our local authority ethos and services where appropriate”

UNICEF Breastfeeding Friendly Accreditation

-        Children’s Centres have had their Stage 1 assessment for Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) accreditation

-        3 Breastfeeding Friendly Champions were in place across the 3 localities in Rotherham to support sustaining the work beyond the Family Hub Project

-        Breastfeeding Friendly guardians remained active and supportive of The Baby Friendly Initiative

-        Stage 3 accreditation assessments had been completed in midwifery and the Rotherham Children’s Public Health Nursing Service (0-19s)

-        Systems in place for shared learning and support across systems in Rotherham

Breastfeeding Friendly Spaces

-        RMBC Health and Wellbeing page now developed to allow businesses to register

-        Play centres, cafes and community youth provisions were now signed up

-        Business packs with signage available

-        Utilising the Voice event to promote the scheme

-        Libraries and Children’s Centres provided with signage

-        Grimm & Co used as a community venue for the Big Latch On and also a breastfeeding support group

Infant Feeding Support

-        Family Hub Strategic Infant Feeding Co-ordinator plus a band 5 nurse continued in post with continued Family Hub funding

-        Voluntary Action Rotherham co-ordinating 17 active peer supporters and volunteers

-        Peer support training continued.  Recent course completed at REMA

-        3 individuals had since secured paid employment

-        Midwifery had increased their support for tongue tie

-        Additional support groups were being planned

-        Some peer supporters had also become trained in perinatal mental health peer support by Light

Community Events

-        Rotherham Show 2024 and plans to attend again in 2025

-        Bit Latch On event 4^th April 2025 was very successfully hosted by Grimm & Co

-        The Voice event to promote Breastfeeding Friendly Spaces

Next Steps

-        Prepare for level 2 Unicef BFI accreditation assessment in Children’s Centres by May 2027 in line with Unicef new Community Standards

-        To focus on sustaining transformation of infant feeding practice utilising continued Family Hub Funding

-        Whole family hub partnership members to be supported by Public Health to work together to increase initiation and continuation of breastfeeding in Rotherham

-        Increase business sign-up to the Rotherham Breastfeeding Friendly Spaces scheme

Discussion ensued on the presentation with the following issues raised/clarified:-

·        There had been an upward trend in the breastfeeding rate for the first 6-8 weeks since the Declaration.  Given the success, should the target rate be raised?

·        Breastfeeding was a priority for RDaSH and had some physical health services in other parts of its footprint that were exploring how to support mothers through CaMHS.  Also, if there were adult patients in its Mental Health Services, particularly if an inpatient, how they could be supported to breastfeed

·        Increasing business sign-up to the Rotherham Breastfeeding Friendly spaces scheme was in its early stages.  It has been opportunistic in the hospitality sector such as cafes/restaurants where likely to find mothers.  Any business/partner who was interested would be supported by Public Health

·        Peer supporters were vital.  The data was being examined in terms of age, ethnicity and deprivation to ascertain where higher or lower rates of breastfeeding were being seen.  The next stage was to look at the peer support network and what could be done through the Family Friendly Programme and increase the support to those particular groups

Resolved:-  (1)  That the increase in Rotherham’s 6-8 week breastfeeding rate and the progress made during the last year to become a Breastfeeding Friendly Borough be noted and celebrated.

(2)  That the Health and Wellbeing Board reaffirm its support for the ambition for Rotherham to become a Breastfeeding Friendly Borough by signing the Declaration on behalf of its member organisations.

(3)  That an update be submitted in 12 months.