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Milk bank Do you know any breastfeeding mums with a baby less than six months old? The neonatal unit at Calderdale Royal Hospital are always in need of donations of milk to help feed premature or sick babies.

For more information on how to donate, please contact Calderdale Neonatal Unit on 01422 224421.

Quarterly newsletterIssue 3 • Feb 10

Breastfeeding Bulletin

Welcome to our third breastfeeding bulletin... a guide to what we’re doing locally to encourage mums to breastfeed and to make Kirklees a more baby friendly place to be. NHS Kirklees Baby Friendly Coordinator – Jayne Heley invites you to read the following pages and to contact her directly if you have any queries or simply would like to know more about any of the features. Going Baby Friendly

NHS Kirklees and Kirklees Community Health Services are well on their way to becoming accredited Baby Friendly organisations.

We have now reached the Certificate of Commitment stage which acknowledges that we have submitted and agreed an action plan with UNICEF. The certificate is the first award given by UNICEF in recognition of ongoing commitment towards improving practice.

The next steps in the programme are to work towards stage 1 accreditation which requires the development of mechanisms to enable implementation of the Baby Friendly standards. These include the development of a staff education programme, effective materials to support the education of pregnant women and new mothers, robust methods of recording information-giving and an effective tool for auditing practice.

Once all the necessary documents have been written and the procedures for implementing the standards finalised these are submitted to the Baby Friendly Initiative and assessed against the standards. Only when all the submitted information has been reviewed and accepted will we have achieved Stage 1 of three necessary stages towards full Baby Friendly accreditation.

For more information about the Baby Friendly Initiative in Kirklees contact Jayne Heley, NHS Kirklees Baby Friendly Co-ordinator on 01484 343611 or [email protected] or visit the Baby Friendly Initiative website at www.babyfriendly.org.uk

launch at Dewsbury Moor and Scout Hill Children's CentreBaby Bistro

T: 07903 372643 01484 343611

E: [email protected]


Getting the data right As part of our drive to reduce health inequalities and infant mortality, we need to establish consistent and more specific breastfeeding data across the Kirklees area. This is necessary so we can determine the prevalence and coverage of exclusive breastfeeding up to six months in line with NICE guidance.

GPs are reminded to ask mothers about their breastfeeding status at the six to eight week child review and circle the appropriate field for breastfeeding on the form in the child health record. It is imperative that GP’s detach the duplicate slip and send copies to child health in a timely way within each quarter as this is the only mechanism in place to make sure that essential child health information, including breastfeeding, is recorded in a central place.

The child health record (red book) has been altered to record breastfeeding – ‘totally’ or ‘partially’ or ‘not at all’ during the six to eight week child check appointment.

Swine flu and breastfeeding

New advice on breastfeeding, taking medicines and post-natal depression Two popular Department of Health guides for expectant mothers and new parents have been revised.Pregnancy and Birth to Five have been updated to include more information on the topics parents find most challenging, as well as the latest guidance. This includes a breastfeeding guide, the best medicines to take in pregnancy, and help in coping with post-natal depression.

Both books are given to mums-to-be and new parents by their midwives and health visitors.

Ann Keen, Health Minister, said ‘Parents have told us how useful they find these books and the advice they give, and we’ve listened to their feedback on what extra information they need.’

Get Britain breastfeeding exhibitionThe regional Department of Health (public health group) and Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber Children and Learners Directorate are working together to promote breastfeeding to young people within schools.To help this work they have purchased the Best Beginnings, ‘Get Britain Breastfeeding’ Exhibition which is an innovative display that encourages discussions around the benefits of breastfeeding.

Healthy schools and breast feeding teams are being offered the opportunity to borrow the ‘Get Britain Breastfeeding’ exhibition for the use within their secondary schools. The exhibition is a set of seven individual pull up stands and a postcard display stand. These stands can be used all together or separately. The display creates the opportunity to discuss the benefits of breastfeeding and dispel the myths around breastfeeding.

It is proposed that the exhibition will be available in the Kirklees area from 17 May – 9 July and the regional team will arrange the transport to and from the local areas and local areas will be responsible for housing and transporting the exhibition around the schools in their area.

Along with the display each venue will receive 20 workbooks, worksheets templates and evaluation templates to support you to use the exhibition effectively.

The exhibition can either be used in PHSE lessons or in health fairs. It is particularly effective with Key Stage 3, but can be of use for KS4 & A level students. It is aimed at both boys and girls to help encourage positive discussions around breastfeeding.

If you are interested in using the exhibition or know a school who might like to use it contact Jayne Heley, Health Improvement Practitioner Advanced on 01484 343611 or [email protected]

Breastfeeding may not prevent babies catching influenza viruses such as the current swine flu, however, helping mothers to sustain breastfeeding if they catch swine flu is important as the best available research suggests that exclusive breastfeeding is important in reducing the risk of associated complications such as pneumonia and chest infections if the infant also catches swine flu.

Antiviral treatments can be taken, as the amount of the medicine transferred through breast milk is too low to affect the baby.

Exclusive breastfeeding can help a baby get as many maternal antibodies as possible.

If a mother becomes too ill to feed then expressing milk might still be possible. If a baby becomes too ill to breastfeed then expressed milk should be used.

Swine flu vaccine can be given to breastfeeding mothers. It is not being given to babies under six months as the swine flu vaccine (as with seasonal flu) does not produce enough of an immune response in children under six months to provide protection.

The Pregnancy BookYour complete guide to:A healthy pregnancyLabour and childbirthThe first weeks with your new baby

Birth to FiveThis book gives you information on:Becoming a parentTaking care of yourself and your childFinding practical help and support

Why is my new baby feeding so often?Newborn babies need to feed little and often because their stomachs are so tiny and feeding regularly in the first three days stimulates the breasts to produce milk. Feeding every hour or so is their way of dealing with this.

What does breast milk look like?The first milk that comes out looks slightly yellow and is called colostrum. It is rich in nutrients and antibodies. Later on when you feed your baby, breast milk may look thin and watery, but it gets thicker and creamier towards the end of a feed.

How can I produce more milk?The best way is to feed your baby more often. The more you feed your baby, the more milk you will make.

When should I start solid feeding?It is recommended that you start solids when your baby is six months of age.

When is the best time to express milk?You can do that whenever you feel ready. Most women do it when they have established breastfeeding. Find a time of day that suits you too, when your milk supply is good. This is often in the morning.

Will breastfeeding change my breasts?For some women there is no change at all. Some women's breasts get smaller and others a little bigger when they have finished breastfeeding.

Can I just feed my baby at night if I return to work?Breastfeeding is all done on a supply and demand basis: you produce enough for the feeds that you are giving. So feeding just at night is not a problem.

How can I feed my baby if I get sick?The most important thing is to keep on feeding your baby if you can, or expressing milk to keep your milk supply going. If you have a minor illness like a cough or cold, you can continue to breastfeed. Otherwise, try to get prompt treatment for your condition and ask your doctor if it is alright for you to carry on breastfeeding. Take as much rest as possible.

Is it OK to drink alcohol while breastfeeding?Whatever you take into your body is likely to be passed on to your baby. While the occasional drink is unlikely to do your baby much harm, it's best to avoid alcohol altogether if you can.


Common breastfeeding questions Facebook support for breastfeeding mumsA new support area, Kirklees Breastfeeding Bistro, has been launched on Facebook for new mums in the Kirklees area.The fan page, created by NHS Kirklees’ Baby Friendly Initiative Co-ordinator Jayne Heley, has been set up so that mums in the area can socialise, share experiences and get regular top tips and advice about breastfeeding.

The launch of the page is just part of a range of activities by NHS Kirklees to overcome the stigma of breastfeeding and encourage more mothers to breastfeed their babies. The organisation is currently on track to become one of the first primary care trusts in the country to be accredited under UNICEF’s Baby Friendly Initiative.

Facebook provides the perfect area for mums to share their experiences of breastfeeding; what works for them, what doesn’t, places they feel comfortable feeding in public and somewhere where they can get further advice.

Jayne said: “It’s difficult when you have a new baby to find any spare time and young mums have told that they find social-networking sites, such as

Facebook, a great way to keep in touch with friends and as a way of sharing their newfound experiences of motherhood. We wanted an area that was familiar, easily accessible and didn’t require mums to have to learn their way around some complicated website.

Facebook is a great way to keep in touch with friends, whilst at the same time meeting others who are going through the same new experiences. All mums are encouraged to visit the page, there are many women out there who know what it’s like to go through those daunting first few weeks and months, and they can really help other new mums just by sharing their experiences.

The page can by found by visiting Facebook at www.facebook.com and then by searching for Kirklees Breastfeeding Bistro.

Give your kids the best start in life Since the last newsletter, all midwives and health visitors across Batley, Birstall, Birkenshaw, Spen, Dewsbury, Mirfield, Huddersfield North and Huddersfield South have begun distributing the Healthy Start supplements to pregnant and breastfeeding women and babies and children under the age of four, as part of the local Healthy Start scheme.

In addition, there are now 25 Children’s Centre’s where families can get their Healthy Start supplements under the local scheme or the national scheme.

These are as follows:

Batley, Birstall and Birkenshaw: Batley Central, Batley East, Birstall and Birkenshaw, Carlinghow and Wilton

Spen: Heckmondwike (Leeside), Heckmondwike (Khandaani Dhek Bhal), Liversedge, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Gomersal and Littletown

Dewsbury and Mirfield: Flatts and Eastborough, Chickenley and Earlsheaton, Dewsbury Moor and Scout Hill (Heckmondwike Road), Ravensthorpe (Dewsbury West Community Centre), Savile Town, Thornhill, Thornhill Lees

Huddersfield North: Birkby, Paddock

Huddersfield South: Rawthorpe and Dalton, Almondbury, Newsome, Lowerhouses

The following health centres can also give families their supplements under the national Healthy Start scheme:

Batley, Dewsbury, Cleckheaton, Princess Royal, Mill Hill, Fartown, Golcar

Healthy Start is running a campaign across all Kirklees pharmacies, so it is hoped that in the near future, pharmacies will also become places where families can collect their Healthy Start supplements from as well as the Children’s Centre’s, health centre’s, midwives and health visitors.

For more information about the scheme, please email [email protected] or visit the national website at www.healthystart.nhs.uk. Alternatively, please ask your midwife or health visitor how to sign up to either the local or the national scheme.

Training and education update

A good start for a healthier life

Guide to new 0-4 years growth charts The Department of Health, in association with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and the World Health Organisation, has published a new guide Using the new UK-World Health Organization 0-4 years growth charts.

This guide, aimed at health professionals who regularly or occasionally weigh and measure babies and infants, provides information about how to use and interpret the new charts. The new charts, which were introduced last May, are based on the growth of breastfed infants and replace previous charts that were based on the growth of predominantly formula-fed babies.

The guide can be ordered online at www.orderline.dh.gov.uk or by calling Prolog on 0300 123 1002, quoting publication number 294502.

DH and RCPCH recommend that anyone who measures a child or plots or interprets charts should be suitably trained in order to familiarise themselves with the changes to the charts. Growth chart educational materials can be downloaded from the RCPCH website at www.rcpch.ac.uk.

Unicef breastfeeding management training

2 & 9 March 9:00 - 17:00Pontefract Medical Education Castle Room

21 & 29 April

9:00 - 17:00 Dewsbury Oakwell Centre

6 & 10 May 9:00 - 17:00Pinderfields Medical Education Centre

15 & 22 June

9:00 - 17:00 Pontefract Medical Education

7 & 14 July 9:00 - 17:00 Dewsbury Oakwell Centre

20 & 27 September

9:00 - 17:00Pinderfields Medical Education Centre

9 & 16 November

9:00 - 17:00 Dewsbury Oakwell Centre

1 & 8 December

9:00 - 17:00Pinderfields Medical Education Centre

To book your place telephone Linda Wilby, Wakefield Birth Centre on 01924 213745 or email [email protected]

A certificate will be awarded on completion of the clinical practice element. Please bring a doll with you as well as money for parking.

Breastfeeding trainingFor new starters although day two can be used for staff requiring an update.

Subjects include:

• Baby Friendly Initiative and the 10 steps of successful breastfeeding

• Anatomy and physiology of the breast and lactation

• Breastfeeding management and early initiation of feeding

• Clinical skills in attachment, positioning and hand expression

• Breastfeeding difficulties for mother and baby

• Trouble shooting and scenario discussion

• Coping with problems and challenges

All courses are held at Calderdale Royal Hospital from 9.00-4.30pm except 1 July which will be held at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

25/26 March, 28/29 April, 19/20 May, 7/8 June, 1/2 July, 15/16 September, 29/30 September, 18/19 October, 4/5 November, 18/19 November

If you are interested in the course and would like to reserve a place, please contact Barbara Bellanfante, Training & Development Department, HRI on 01484 (34) 7071 or email [email protected]

Start4Life is a government campaign to support a better start in life for infants from birth, by providing healthcare professionals with accessible, concise information about the recommendations on breastfeeding, appropriate introduction of solid foods and active play.

Start4Life has translated these recommendations into 6 different “behaviours” for new parents to follow, with key messages and tips to engage new parents and make it easier for the recommendations to be understood and adopted.

Who is Start4Life for? Start4Life messaging is directed towards pregnant women, new mums, and their partners and key influencers and supporters (grandparents, siblings). As part of the Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives government initiative, it focuses on promoting behaviours from birth (not conception) that will help to reduce the incidence of overweight and obesity (and related illnesses) in later life.

Leaflets and posters are now available to order by calling 0300 123 1002 or you can download copies by visiting the Start4life website at www.nhs.uk/start4life

The colourful, easy to understand materials can be displayed and distributed to pregnant women and new mums and on the site you can also find a Q&A sheet to help you answer the type of questions you might be asked about Start4life.

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