Open Letter on the current crisis in breastfeeding in the UK

The Lancet Breastfeeding Studies were published 28 January  2016 and highlighted not only the significance of breastfeeding but also the need for much greater support for women who want to breastfeed.

Midwives, health visitors, paediatricians, lactation consultants, breastfeeding counsellors, peer supporters, university researchers and others who work for professional organisations and charities have joined together to support an open letter calling for the government to commit to increased support for breastfeeding.

The letter calls on the UK government and the national assemblies to urgently work towards:

• establishing a multi-sectoral National Breastfeeding Committee to develop a National Breastfeeding Strategy
• all maternity and community settings meeting Baby Friendly standards, as per NICE guidelines
• all mothers in the UK receiving skilled, evidence-based breastfeeding support, as per NICE guidelines
• safeguarding the public health budget for universal health visiting services and breastfeeding support
• fully enacting in UK law the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, which would end the advertising of follow-on formula
• requiring employers to provide breaks to breastfeeding mothers to breastfeed or express milk at work

La Leche League GB is pleased to be a signatory on this letter

La Leche League GB (LLLGB) is pleased to support this open letter.   We hope that knowing breastmilk is of long term significance will encourage more funding into the establishment and support of breastfeeding. Being aware of the significance of breastfeeding is important and having help and support available when difficulties arise will enable more women to breastfeed for as long as they wish to.

See the full text of the open letter here.

Further Reading
The Lancet series on breastfeeding: LLLGB comments