Hillingdon Breastfeeding_v1.0 24Jan16

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Hillingdon BreastfeedingVolunteer Peer Support NetworkUNICEF BABY FRIENDLY INITIATIVE CONFERENCE26TH JANUARY 2016

2Who are we?

Peer Support Workers (PSWs) Mothers who have breastfed their own children Completion of UNICEF UK BFI level 3 accredited training

Minimum 2 day course for CC staff, HVs or other HCPs, OR 12 week course for non-HCPs Covers all aspects of breastfeeding – anatomy, BM production, counselling skills,

attachment and positioning, BF issues, roles and responsibilities, when to refer Receive ongoing training Volunteers Objective to increase BF rates and how long mothers BF for

3Role and responsibilities of the PSW

Listen, empathise, support and empower mothers Provide up-to-date, evidence based information on BF

from pregnancy onwards Help with attachment and positioning Refer if more complex issues Work alongside HCPs

4Why Peer Support matters

Effective in increasing breastfeeding rates and relatively low cost if properly commissioned and adequately funded

Advantages Increased breastfeeding and breastfeeding for longer Positive experiences for mothers Gives support to HCPs Improves access to breastfeeding support for mums in low income groups and those under the age of 25 Increased body of knowledge around breastfeeding Increased access to children's centres Increased social cohesion

Few disadvantages, these stem from inadequate funding & resources Eliminated by robust commissioning, ring fenced funding and formal management with at least a paid PSW

coordinator

5Current activities

5 PSWs in hospital 4 PSWs in community Involvement in antenatal Bump and Beyond courses On-going visibility and activity on social media enabling easy access to

support and NHS/UNICEF approved information Represented on BFI implementation group Specialist breastfeeding referral clinic (launched 7th Jan 2016)

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Where can you find us?• Hillingdon Hospital

• Post natal ward• Community

• Support groups, drop-in sessions, post natal clinics, baby weigh in clinics, Sling Meet and Swing Sling

7Common observations and problems

Hospital post-natal Feeling traumatised, overwhelmed and lacking in confidence Formula “top ups” Large number of caesarean sections Large number of mothers formula feeding / no initiation of BF “Sleepy” baby – ward temperature, baby overdressed, difficulty assessing feeds

Community Sleep deprivation Birth complications Lack of support for BF Return to work BF older children and multiples

8What next? (1)

Evaluate reasons for common issues/problems Work with multidisciplinary partners to develop plan to address common issues/problems Ensure all babies and families have access to service, e.g. presence on NNU Increase PSW team

Next training planned Spring 2016 Ensure PSWs are integrated into local services

Involved and included in the Bump and Beyond antenatal program Post natal clinics Baby clinics in children’s centres Local mothers groups

9What next? (2)

Develop remote / out-of-hours support service Skype, on-line availability

Develop continuity of care system from hospital to community within PSW team Build and develop active and supportive relationships with HCPs we work alongside Paid PSW role

PSW training / co-ordinator role Successful model used in other boroughs Key to sustainability

Develop plan for active recruitment, training, support and retention of PSWs Encourage local business to become more breastfeeding friendly

10How you can contact us

Catherine Cooper – Community infant feeding co-ordinator Tel:  01895 488455, email: [email protected]

Julia Masdin – Hillingdon Hospital infant feeding co-ordinator Tel: 01895 279723, email: [email protected]

Social media Facebook.com/hillingdonbreastfeed Twitter.com/@hillingdonbfeed

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12Success stories - 1

I had assumed that when my gorgeous little boy was born that I would pop him on the breast every couple of hours and he would latch on and I would instinctively know his to facilitate this, easy right? Surely a mother and baby would know how to do the most natural thing in the world? In reality, however, this was not quite the case. I ended up with mastitis, a poor latch and searing pain when feeding. It was agony. I spent nights googling, went to some breast feeding meetings. Asked parents, friends, midwives but nothing quite seemed to get the feeding to be the comfortable, beautiful breast feeding experience I had envisaged.My baby is now 13 months. I am a proud breast feeding mother and it is an important part of mine and my son's life. What changed?After 7 long painful weeks my friend introduced me to a breast feeding coordinator/ fairy godmother. She came to visit me in my home and immediately encouraged me by telling me that my chunky little boy was thriving. I felt proud. I knew this was going to be the start of good things. Over the next 3 weeks she helped me to subtly change my position and my baby's to enable him to perfect his latch. There were times where we even face timed to check I was on the right track.By week 11 we had cracked it. My little one had his latch optimised and my boobs had repaired. Mine and my little one's relationships blossomed even further and I looked forward to feeding again.10 months down the line and I still look forward to feeding. I'm proud to have persevered with breast feeding but I certainly couldn't have done it without the support, technical advice and ultimately kindness from my breast feeding volunteer. I am even thinking of training as one myself!

13Success stories - 2

My daughter Evelyn was born in September. Two days into our first week and I was suffering from sore nipples and feeling worried about whether she was latching and feeding correctly. Feeing overtired and overwhelmed I called a PSW that evening and she was just wonderful. She listened to what I was saying and was immediately reassuring on the phone, and said she would come and see me the next morning. She followed the call by sending me a step by step guide to what I should be doing and some useful links, to help me through the night. Her visit the next day and demonstration of expressing was just what I needed to set me and Evelyn on the right path and to help build my confidence. She also went above and beyond and checked in with me during the following days. All this when she was about to give birth to her third baby any day!! More recently she was on hand again as I had new concerns about how much milk Evelyn was taking. Thank you for being so supportive and reassuring, I really don't think I would have succeeded at breast feeding without you.

14Hillingdon Sling Meet

A voluntary organisation dedicated to helping local parents and caregivers wear their babies and toddlers safely and ergonomically

Run by 4 (self funded) fully qualified babywearing peer supporters Studies have shown babywearing has numerous benefits for both

baby and caregiver, amongst others Encourages breastfeeding Reduces crying Helps with bonding and attachment Helps reflux Reduces PND

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Hillingdon Sling Meet

Why babywear?

16Swing Sling

For Mum/Dad: Spend quality time bonding with your

baby Build intimacy and trust with your baby Have fun Improves your mood and increases

energy levels Improves your posture and self-

awareness Helps you feel confident

For Baby/Infant: Builds intimacy and trust with parent Introduces music, movement and dance Develops musical appreciation and a good

sense of rhythm Stimulates your baby’s mind Your baby will love watching the others

around them

Sling Swing is an exciting gentle movement and dance class for mums and dads or carers with their babies and toddlers in soft structured slings and baby carriers or wraps.

Why Sling Swing?

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Questions?

Thank you!