Plymouth NHS bosses welcome new report on breastfeeding Public health bosses in Plymouth have welcomed a report by UNICEF that reveals if more women in the country breastfeed it could save the NHS an estimated £40 million. The report, Preventing disease and saving resources, shows that for just five illnesses, moderate increases in breastfeeding would mean tens of thousands of fewer hospital admissions and GP consultations. UNICEF researchers looked at a range of illnesses which are less prevalent in breastfed babies or their mother. These included breast cancer, gastroenteritis (stomach infections), chest infections, ear infections and necrotising enterocolitis, which is a potentially fatal bowel infection most commonly associated with premature infants. Figures for 2011 show that in Plymouth almost seven in ten women start breastfeeding, which is a slight increase on the previous year. In 2007 the NHS in Plymouth joined with the city council and children’s centres to develop a breastfeeding strategy. Since the strategy was developed more pregnant women and new parents have had support and training to give them a better opportunity of having a positive breastfeeding experience. One initiative that runs in the city is a comprehensive antenatal programme developed by the NHS and children’s centres called ‘Great Expectations’. It is a six week course that gives parents-to-be the skills and information they need to make informed choices for their baby’s future. Jan Potter, NHS Plymouth’s breastfeeding coordinator, said: “We welcome the findings of this report as it shows the important health benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and baby. “In Plymouth over the last three years we have used the UNICEF baby friendly initiative best practice standards. “This has included a range of education programmes for GPs, children’s centre staff, peer supporters and other healthcare workers. “We run a network of 14 “Latch-on” breastfeeding groups across Plymouth that give women access to information, support and encouragement from health practitioners and trained peer supporters.” More information on the Plymouth Latch-on breastfeeding groups is here: http://www.plymouth-latchon.org.uk/index.html

National Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2012

Press release