Can anyone help me write a zinging letter on benefits of breastfeeding support?

[Thandeka]

Our local breastfeeding specialist midwife has been made redundant (there are still other bfeedibg specialists in the area but demand is high so I think this will lead to reduced support for women).

Anyhow am firing off a few letters to the head honchos about this and wondered if anyone had any brill facts and stats about breastfeeding in general and benefits of breastfeeding support in sticking with breastfeeding.

Thanks!

have you looked on nct site, might be some on there??

www.laleche.org.uk/pdfs/LLLGB%20PCP%20EVALUATION%20SUMMARY%20JAN%2008.pdf has some on

also possibly worth mentioning that net week is national breastfeeding week i believe

next*

that's great stuff thanks!

Anything on "specialist support" rather than peer support?

As Haringey has good peer support in places but personally because of extreme difficulties with bfeeding- I needed specialist support, so want evidence as to why we have to have her and not just peer supporters.

Thandeka, check the NICE guidance on postnatal and breastfeeding support and maternal and infant nutrition. I think it's mentioned a few times in different guidance.

However, specialist support is harder to get decent, hard data for.

Try the Baby Friendly website, too.

To be honest, if you still have some specialists at work in your area, you will find the argument is one of resources, not that specialist bf support is not a good thing. Good luck, though.