Agenda item

To consider a report of the Deputy Director of Public Health.

This report has been prepared following a request from the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee for an update on the current position in relation to breastfeeding in Stockport and provides:

·         an overview of the benefits of breastfeeding, particularly in terms of health;

·         information on the current rates in Stockport  for initiation of breastfeeding and maintenance at 6-8 weeks;

·         details of the support available from services in Stockport for mothers to initiate breastfeeding and to continue to breastfeed for as long as they wish;

·         consideration as to the challenges to breastfeeding uptake and what is being done locally to address these.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note the report and comment.

Officer contact: Duncan Weldrake, 0161 474 2443, duncan.weldrake@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with information about breastfeeding, including an overview of its benefits, current rates in Stockport for initiation of breastfeeding and maintenance at 6-8 weeks; details of the support available in Stockport for mothers; and a explanation of the challenges to breastfeeding uptake and what was being done locally to address these.

Duncan Welldrake (Public Health Specialist), Julie Estcourt (Head of Midwifery, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust) and Laura Widdall (Community Infant Feeding Co-ordinator, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust) attended the meeting to answer questions.

The following issues were highlighted:-

·         Three in four women in Stockport initiate breastfeeding after birth, although there was a 20 percentage gap in initiation rates between the least and most deprived areas in Stockport.

·         Rates of maintenance of breastfeeding after 6 weeks were approximately 50% which was above the national average.

·         Stockport had 54 Breastfeeding Peer Support volunteers, and the team had recently been shortlisted for a Royal College of Midwifery award. This programme had been very successful.

·         The Foundation Trust sought to explain the benefits of breastfeeding to new mothers, and encouraged skin-to-skin contact after birth.

·         The Trust had achieved the UNICEF baby friendly standard for its maternity services, and was working to achieve this for other areas of Trust activity.

·         The breastfeeding service sought to normalise breastfeeding and ensure open access to services.

·         Stockport had a ‘breastfeeding welcome’ scheme to let mothers know that breastfeeding would be supported in that facility.

Councillors asked questions and made comments, including the following:-

·         Concerns were expressed about support available to new mothers immediately following birth when on the ward, and following discharge. In particular it was suggested that little information was available about how to resolve breastfeeding problems and concern that professionals were recommending formula feeding in the event of problems arising. In response it was stated that average stays in hospital were only 1.8 days, during which time it was unlikely that breastfeeding would become established. However, through midwife and health visitor visits support was available after discharge. Supplementing breast milk with formula would be recommended when baby had lost more than 10% of its birth weight.

·         In response to a question about the minimum length of time needed for benefit to be derived from breastfeeding, it was stated that any amount was beneficial, but more benefit would be accrued for longer maintenance. Reducing feeding frequency as baby grew would concentrate the benefits in those fewer feeds.

·         Councillors welcomed the use of peer supporters and emphasised the benefits this could provide, particularly for those in the most deprived communities where there was less prevalence. It was queried whether recruitment of volunteers was targeted at priority areas, given that maintenance rates varied by up to 60% between most deprived and less deprived wards. In response it was stated that this was done, but volunteers from all areas were welcomed.

·         There were deprived wards where maintenance rates were relatively high. It was important to understand what may be different in these areas and what could be learnt and adapted for use in areas where prevalence was less.

·         Councillors discussed the difficulties some mothers experienced when breastfeeding in public and welcomed the ‘Breastfeeding Welcome’ scheme. It was suggested that this could also be promoted through The Review.

·         It was commented that despite the obvious benefits to both child and mother, it was surprising that prevalence of breastfeeding was not greater, at least during the first months. It was commented that more effort was needed to overcome the cultural barriers that might discourage start-up and maintenance, and to re-normalise breastfeeding.

·         In relation to support for mothers at difficult times, such as in the night, it was suggested that having video content online might be a good way to offer support out-of-hours.

·         As public sector organisations, the Council and NHS partners should be doing all they could to support and encourage breastfeeding.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and Julie Estcourt, Duncan Welldrake and Laura Widdall be thanked for their attendance.