Cuts to Breastfeeding Support in Suffolk

Local women have recently contacted us to voice concerns after news that from 31st March, there will no longer be a breastfeeding support contract in place for community-based breastfeeding services across Suffolk. Last year the same happened in the Great Yarmouth area, and women are told to talk to health visitors instead.

So what will change? ​
    • No local breastfeeding hotline ​to support new mums having difficulties
    • No home visits from trained breastfeeding practitioners who could refer to tongue tie clinics ​
   • No funding for baby cafes, where trained volunteers are on hand to help with any problems or provide moral support about feeding in public

Once women leave hospital they don't stop needing support to breastfeed. Although initiation rates are high (82% in October at JPUH), by 6-8 weeks postnatal this drops to only 46% (full or combi-feeding) across Suffolk (Jan-July 2016, Public Health England data).  

We are interested in hearing from local mums and pregnant women about what impact they feel this may have. We can then use this to make a case to Maternity Staff and Commissioners to explore what other funding sources might be available.

HAVE YOUR SAY