Is Suffolk following best practice for breastfeeding

support?

Linda Page

Breastfeeding Coordinator

What is recommended? • LA’s to prioritise support for breastfeeding Increase rates as

measured at birth & 6 weeks. • To achieve this NICE (2013) continues to recognise that

breastfeeding support should be from a service which uses an evaluated, structured programme with UK BFI programme as a minimum standard.

• NICE (2008) also recommends provision of local, easily accessible breastfeeding peer support programme with peer supporters as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Peer supporters should be trained using a recognised, externally accredited training course

• Contact new mothers directly within 48 hours of their transfer home (or within 48 hours of a home birth) Offer mothers ongoing support according to their individual needs. This could be face to face, via text, telephone or through local groups.

• Peer supporters should be able to consult with an appropriate Health professional.

• This support should be delivered and co-ordinated across all providers

including hospital, primary care, community services and children’s centres.

•  

How far have we come? Before 2011 • No Compulsory breastfeeding training for all staff in either acute or Community settings. • Training ad hoc & variable. Many staff with limited or no formal training. • No training offered to GP’s or Paediatric staff. • Peer support in Suffolk but limited contact with HV teams and not in all locations. • Breastfeeding Policies did not reflect best practice standards. • Data collection not robust.     

What has changed?

• With commitment to BFI at both acute Trusts compulsory breastfeeding management training put in place. Stage 1 BFI achieved 2013 in both acute Trusts.

• SCH / CYP Health adopted BFI model & trained all health staff and now CC staff.

• NHS Suffolk offered BFI e learning to all Suffolk GP’s to support vision .

• Peer support contact with HV teams has grown and BfN now offering support in over 50 locations. Peer supporters introduced onto postnatal wards to give information & signpost to community groups.

• Le Leche run breastfeeding support group at one CC and Baby Cafes now in 3 locations. Arrival CIC supports parents in one CC locality.

• Breastfeeding policies updated. Users informed of the service to expect via Parents Guides.

• CYP data collection improved. Now report no unknowns at 6

weeks. Monthly figures to allow closer scrutiny. We Now report partial & exclusive at 14 days and 6 weeks. Drop off rates calculated for each part of the service.

What has happened to breastfeeding rates?

How about the numbers?

Year Births BF /Birth Percentage BF 6 wks Percentage

2009-10 6566 4200 64% 2750 45%

2010-11 6778 4326 64% 3015 46%

2011-12 6809 4441 65% 3419 48.9%

2012-13 6874 4932 71.7% 3176 46.9%

East/Ipswich CCG 2012/13

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q40.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

% of Infants being breastfed at birth% of Infants being breastfed at new-birth visit% of infants being breastfed at 6-8 week checkTarget BF at 6-8 weeks (51%)

Comparison with 2011/12 data:

• 55 more births than 2011/12• 312 more mothers initiating breastfeeding• 6.4% increase in initiation• 372 more mothers breastfeeding at NBV• 8% increase in breastfeeding at NBV• 0.1% loss in prevalence of mother’s breastfeeding at

6-8 week check. 

Suffolk overall breastfeeding performance including Waveney for 2012/13

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q441

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

Overall Breastfeeding rates for Suffolk at 6-8 weeks

% Total BF at 6-8 weeks

Date % Total BF at 6-8 weeksQ1 45.6%Q2 46.1%Q3 47.5%Q4 43.8%

Total 45.8%