More mothers to get 24/7 access to breastfeeding support
The National Breastfeeding Helpline provides free, evidence-based information day and night – supporting families to overcome challenges that might prevent mothers from successfully breastfeeding their baby.
Breastfeeding can take time to establish, with some mothers worrying if their baby is feeding well enough, particularly in the days after birth.
Public health minister Ashley Dalton said: 'Many parents will know the struggle of being up in the middle of the night, desperately trying anything to get your baby to feed.
'It can be incredibly overwhelming and deeply lonely.
'We are determined to make sure more women get the support they need through this vital 24/7 helpline.'
Data published by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) in November shows the prevalence of breastfeeding at six to eight weeks in England increased to 52.7% in 2023-24 compared with 49.2% in 2022-23.
At the time, OHID said breastfeeding rates 'are generally improving at local level in England'.
However, there are disparities, with women in wealthier areas more likely to breastfeed than those in more deprived areas.
Catherine Hine, chief executive of The Breastfeeding Network – which runs the helpline alongside the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, said: 'While some callers seek help for a wider range of infant feeding challenges, we know that almost nine in 10 (89%) of callers are more confident to continue breastfeeding after contacting the helpline.
'Many women also call to talk about combination feeding, introducing solids, stopping breastfeeding and formula feeding.
'We're really excited that shifting to a 24-hour service has been so popular and that our great team are being contacted by women and families throughout the UK and with a wide variety of backgrounds and infant feeding experiences.'
Minister for children and families Janet Daby said extending the helpline for 2025/26 is 'just one part of a much bigger effort to transform how families are supported'.
The move forms part of wider reforms of family services, backed by £126 million in funding that will support the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.
This includes £18.5 million to improve infant feeding across 75 local authorities in England.
Ms Dalton added: 'Through our Plan for Change, we're going further to ensure every child gets the best start in life.
'We've provided extra funding for local infant feeding services through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, where parents can access drop-in sessions for practical and emotional support.'
Earlier this month, the Government also announced there will be a Best Start family hub in every local authority in England by April 2026, with £500 million targeted at disadvantaged communities.
The service has been described as a 'one-stop shop' for families with children from pregnancy through to early years and beyond.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What makes the Mediterranean diet so healthy?
The Mediterranean diet has long been considered one of the healthiest dietary options for a long life. But, why is that the case? Researchers say the answer lies both in the nutritious value of the meals and in their anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as dark leafy greens and olive oil. 'The Mediterranean diet is probably one tool to keep your underlying systems in harmony with each other, and that may make you less vulnerable,' Dr. Annie Moore, a University of Colorado School of Medicine internal medicine specialist, said in a statement. Eating anti-inflammatory foods — including nuts, tomatoes, and salmon — is important to help reduce inflammation. Inflammation, which is our immune system's natural response to invaders, can be harmful when it persists. Chronic inflammation has been linked to heart disease, respiratory illness, autoimmune disease, arthritis, dementia, cancer, and other conditions, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Other foods have been tied to chronic inflammation, including those with high-fat and sugar content. "Many experimental studies have shown that components of foods or beverages may have anti-inflammatory effects," Dr. Frank Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, said. So, the next time you make a meal, what do you choose to stay Mediterranean diet-compliant? If you're choosing a protein, make it fishy. Oily fish including salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fats, which have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. Maybe also reach for fish oil, but know that there's no convincing evidence to recommend them, according to Harvard Women's Health Watch. 'Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are part of a healthy diet that is associated with lower levels of inflammation. Your body can't manufacture omega-3 fatty acids —eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid — so it's important to get them through your diet,' Harvard Health said. Experts say to cook that fish in extra-virgin olive oil, which contains anti-oxidants that fight inflammation. One is known as oleocanthal, which 'has been shown to work like ibuprofen,' according to Harvard Health. Olive oil can help fight arthritis symptoms throughout the body, according to the Arthritis Foundation. 'Antioxidants are almost like a shield around your cells, like a blanket around them to protect them from oxidative damage,' registered dietitian Julia Zumpano explained to the Cleveland Clinic. But, it's not just olive oil that's a great source of antioxidants. As a side, reach for the greens and the beans, David Dunaief, an internist in New York, told The Washington Post. 'Dark, leafy green vegetables may lower inflammation by increasing antioxidant levels,' he said. There are many versions of a Mediterranean diet. The MIND diet, or 'Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay' diet, targets the health of the aging brain with its selection. Whereas the DASH diet, or 'Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension' eating plan, is focused on fighting high blood pressure. Make sure to avoid ultraprocessed foods, including soda, smoked meat, chips, white bread, and others that are high in saturated fats, sodium, and sugar. Recent research has tied eating ultraprocessed food to an increased risk of lung cancer. Instead, grab a whole wheat roll, put nuts and tomatoes in a salad, and eat blueberries and other fruit for — or, at least, with — your dessert. Cherries are in season! 'Sometimes it's easier to add healthy foods than taking other foods away,' Moore said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Most Moms Still Feel ‘Ashamed' and ‘Judged' Over Not Being Able To Breastfeed
A survey for Breastfeeding Awareness Week shows the realities moms face when it comes to Points The majority of mothers would like to breastfeed, but are not able to despite trying, according to a new study from Tommee Tippee. Half of mothers feel a sense of loneliness while breastfeeding, and half feel ashamed or judged if they can't. Certain groups are most affected by barriers to breastfeeding. This includes Black, Hispanic, and Asian not news that many mothers feel they can't win when it comes to breastfeeding. While breastfeeding has known benefits, some moms feel defeated before they've even started, and others have to give it up before they want to. New data from global parent-care brand Tommee Tippee gives us a glimpse into the harsh reality of what new moms feel about how they choose to feed their babies. Over half of moms feel ashamed or judged if they can't breastfeed, and half of those who can breastfeed feel alone on their journey. As we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (August 1 to August 7), let's discuss the challenges new mothers face in feeding their babies and how we can better support them. What the Research Tells Us About Feelings on Feeding Choices Tommee Tippee compiled the data through an online survey of over 2,000 women of childbearing age (18-45), including more than 900 mothers, with care taken to include 500 Black mothers and representation from major cities. Here's what the company found: While 85% of moms have the desire to breastfeed, 50% can't, and it's not for lack of trying. Of those who can breastfeed, 51% feel lonely during feeding. For those who can't breastfeed, 52% feel judged, and 56% feel ashamed. Even when it isn't right for them, 53% of new moms say they feel pressured to feed their baby a certain way. It's worth noting that Black women are disproportionately affected, reporting higher rates of feeling pressured by medical professionals and family (47%), as well as from social media (41%). What Are the Challenges Mothers Face? The survey reflects that half of the women who start off breastfeeding have to stop before they're ready to for reasons beyond their control. These reasons include: Physical pain (32%) Low milk production (31%) Difficulty latching (21%) Mental health struggles (26%) With more than a quarter of the moms surveyed feeling they have no help when they need it most, these barriers are often challenging to overcome and frequently hidden. They also disproportionately impact certain groups such as Asian mothers (60%) and Hispanic mothers (56%). The Troubling Gap This national research shows that a mother's desire to feed her baby often doesn't match the reality she faces. The difficulties she encounters are greeted by a lack of support rather than helping hands. 'Most mothers want to breastfeed, but far too many stop before they are ready. It is not for lack of effort. It is because they are in pain, they are exhausted, or they cannot find the help they need,' explains Kyrstal Duhaney, RN, BSN, IBCLC, founder of MilkyMama. While mothers tend to blame themselves, 'the real failure is in the system that was supposed to support them.' Tommee Tippee hopes to encourage more open discussions on this topic and highlight available resources for new mothers. With a deeper understanding of what they're feeling and improved support systems, moms can be more empowered by their feeding choices rather than feeling that they're getting it all wrong. No Right or Wrong Way To Feed Your Baby At the end of the day, there's no universally right or wrong way to feed your baby. It's important to recognize that breastfeeding, especially exclusively, is not a realistic option for many mothers. New moms should feel supported where they are, regardless, and not where others expect them to be. With early guidance and ongoing support, mothers can make choices that are right for them and their little one, free from pressure and judgment. Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
Gizmodo
2 hours ago
- Gizmodo
Diet Swap Study Reveals How Ultra-Processed Foods Can Derail Weight Loss
In case you needed more incentive to cut down on ultra-processed foods, a new diet swap study out today reveals that people experienced greater weight loss while eating minimally processed foods than they did when they ate a nutritionally similar, ultra-processed diet. In a six-month trial led by scientists at University College London, study participants were assigned one of the two diet regimes to follow for eight weeks, and then took a four week break before swapping to the other diet for another eight weeks. Participants lost more weight while eating the minimally processed diet than the ultra-processed one; they also shed more unhealthy fat. The findings, published Monday in Nature Medicine, suggest that, among other things, ultra-processed diets are especially good at stoking people's food cravings, the researchers said. Ultra-Processed Foods Have Disturbing Health Effects, Large Review Finds Although there is some debate over what constitutes an ultra-processed food, there are generally considered products or ingredients that have gone through high levels of industrialized processing, like breakfast sausages, candy, or sodas. There is a growing mountain of evidence that suggests a diet rich in ultra-processed foods is less healthy overall than a diet made up of mostly whole foods, and that ultra-processed foods may raise the risk of certain diseases. Most of this research, however, only shows a correlation between ultra-processed diets and poorer health outcomes, and not a direct cause-and-effect link. Clinical trials can provide stronger evidence, but they're notoriously difficult to do in the world of nutrition science for many reasons, particularly funding, the researchers said. A New Diet Study Confirms Your Worst Suspicions About Ultra-Processed Foods The results highlight the importance of following government dietary guidelines, Dicken said. But the study also indicates that people who want to lose weight may see the most benefit from sticking to minimally processed foods. As to why the ultra-processed foods are worse for dieting, the researchers have their educated guesses. Ultra-processed foods tend to have more appealing textures and artificially boosted flavors, which often means they are softer or easier to eat, and tastier. Their appearance and packaging might also make them more visually appealing to potential customers. Interestingly, the volunteers in this study reported that both diets were equally satisfying to eat on average, but they also reported having better control over their cravings while on the minimally processed diet. Dicken noted that the researchers weren't able to directly test these potential explanations in this trial, though, so more research is needed to know for sure. The team has already launched their next study, which is testing out a behavioral support program to reduce people's intake of ultra-processed foods. But Dicken cautioned that it will take widespread societal shifts, not individual scolding, to change our collective diets for the better.
