In Exmouth (Devon, UK) the County Council have publicised their plans to cut funding to the breastfeeding support group: Bosom Buddies. Bosom Buddies is an award winning weekly drop-in group for all breastfeeding mums in Exmouth, with support available from trained volunteers and Children’s Centre staff. It is a well established and well run group, which has integrated well with health visitors and midwives to provide this important service.The group started in 2009 and has helped hundreds of families to successfully breastfeed their babies.
DCC currently fund the group via the Children’s Centre but have announced this will cease. DCC want this group to become a community group (volunteer led) but many question how long this could last? The volunteer peer supporters are wonderful but without having a Children’s Centre worker with a greater depth of knowledge and arranging the group it means there is no infrastructure to train future volunteers and once volunteers go back to work most can't sustain the level of commitment needed.
We, the undersigned, call on Devon County Council and the Government to:
- ensure all mothers have access to good quality, timely breastfeeding support.
- provide the funds so that local groups can deliver these valued services.
In January 2016 the Lancet confirmed the importance of breastfeeding - in both rich and poor countries - to the health (both physical and mental) of babies and mothers. The UK is reported to have the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world yet the Government has done nothing to reverse this. Across the UK, especially in England, there have been severe cuts to breastfeeding support and these are continuing.
Midwives, health visitors and Doctors cannot offer this support alone. Integrated breastfeeding services must be protected (as per NICE and PHE guidelines) by making efficient use of the trained staff and peer supporters.
Improved breastfeeding rates would save the NHS millions. UNICEF UK estimated that £11m could be saved by preventing infections and £31m by reducing breast cancer.
In 2017 Bosom Buddies was awarded “Favorite pregnancy/pre school class” by Exeter Baby Activities in the Family Favourite Awards.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
February 11, 2018
February 7, 2018
The council remains silent on our formal inquiries. We are gathering personal testimonies to present at the next session.
February 6, 2018
The momentum behind this is incredible. Devon County Council cannot ignore this level of public concern for long.
Reached 100 supporters
January 27, 2018
January 26, 2018
We are approaching one hundred signatures. Keep pushing so we can show the council we mean business.
278 Comments
This service costs a tiny amount of money but saves so much more in the long run, by improving the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies. It's madness to consider cutting it for financial reasons, let alone all the other reasons
Exmouth Bosom Buddies prevented me from slipping into a downward spiral of PND, not only did I receive the most professional care and support throughout my breastfeeding journey but I met some absolutely incredible women that I know call my friends.
This is a group that really supported me with my baby. With someone who has anxiety, I felt it was a group that I felt comfortable enough to go to and was made to feel very welcome. Would not have close friendships with other mum's today if it was not for bosom buddies.
This service was vital to the success of my wife’s breastfeeding attempts with both of our children, such brilliant advice provided by Jody and the team. They even went so far as to source the right type of Bra for her..... it would be a shame to see this service cut!
I was at a very low point due to difficulties breastfeeding when I found this support group. Meeting Jodie who leads the group was a magical turning point for me and I am still feeding 12 months later. Mothers need Jodie - please do not cut her position!
A crucial lifeline to all new families.
Given the cost savings breastfeeding gives the NHS it is absolutely despicable that the council would contemplate cutting funding to this service.
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In Exmouth (Devon, UK) the County Council have publicised their plans to cut funding to the breastfeeding support group: Bosom Buddies. Bosom Buddies is an award winning weekly drop-in group for all breastfeeding mums in Exmouth, with support available from trained volunteers and Children’s Centre staff. It is a well established and well run group, which has integrated well with health visitors and midwives to provide this important service.The group started in 2009 and has helped hundreds of families to successfully breastfeed their babies.
DCC currently fund the group via the Children’s Centre but have announced this will cease. DCC want this group to become a community group (volunteer led) but many question how long this could last? The volunteer peer supporters are wonderful but without having a Children’s Centre worker with a greater depth of knowledge and arranging the group it means there is no infrastructure to train future volunteers and once volunteers go back to work most can't sustain the level of commitment needed.
We, the undersigned, call on Devon County Council and the Government to:
- ensure all mothers have access to good quality, timely breastfeeding support.
- provide the funds so that local groups can deliver these valued services.
In January 2016 the Lancet confirmed the importance of breastfeeding - in both rich and poor countries - to the health (both physical and mental) of babies and mothers. The UK is reported to have the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world yet the Government has done nothing to reverse this. Across the UK, especially in England, there have been severe cuts to breastfeeding support and these are continuing.
Midwives, health visitors and Doctors cannot offer this support alone. Integrated breastfeeding services must be protected (as per NICE and PHE guidelines) by making efficient use of the trained staff and peer supporters.
Improved breastfeeding rates would save the NHS millions. UNICEF UK estimated that £11m could be saved by preventing infections and £31m by reducing breast cancer.
In 2017 Bosom Buddies was awarded “Favorite pregnancy/pre school class” by Exeter Baby Activities in the Family Favourite Awards.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
February 11, 2018
February 7, 2018
The council remains silent on our formal inquiries. We are gathering personal testimonies to present at the next session.
February 6, 2018
The momentum behind this is incredible. Devon County Council cannot ignore this level of public concern for long.
Reached 100 supporters
January 27, 2018
January 26, 2018
We are approaching one hundred signatures. Keep pushing so we can show the council we mean business.
278 Comments
It's a great and vital service. It helped me continue to breastfeed. I had a very difficult time as my son was lactose and dairy free and I had no information to guide me and te ladies and bossum buddies helped me through it.
This service costs a tiny amount of money but saves so much more in the long run, by improving the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies. It's madness to consider cutting it for financial reasons, let alone all the other reasons
Exmouth Bosom Buddies prevented me from slipping into a downward spiral of PND, not only did I receive the most professional care and support throughout my breastfeeding journey but I met some absolutely incredible women that I know call my friends.
This is a group that really supported me with my baby. With someone who has anxiety, I felt it was a group that I felt comfortable enough to go to and was made to feel very welcome. Would not have close friendships with other mum's today if it was not for bosom buddies.
This service was vital to the success of my wife’s breastfeeding attempts with both of our children, such brilliant advice provided by Jody and the team. They even went so far as to source the right type of Bra for her..... it would be a shame to see this service cut!
I was at a very low point due to difficulties breastfeeding when I found this support group. Meeting Jodie who leads the group was a magical turning point for me and I am still feeding 12 months later. Mothers need Jodie - please do not cut her position!
A crucial lifeline to all new families.
Given the cost savings breastfeeding gives the NHS it is absolutely despicable that the council would contemplate cutting funding to this service.
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It's a great and vital service. It helped me continue to breastfeed. I had a very difficult time as my son was lactose and dairy free and I had no information to guide me and te ladies and bossum buddies helped me through it.