Lactation Consultants Great Britain

Poem by Alison Blenkinsop.

Lactation Consultants have all passed a test,
to help mothers nourish their babes at the breast.
So read all about us, and then you’ll be free
to contact or join us at LCGB.
'By Alison Blenkinsop'

LCGB Knitted Breast The Pattern.

We have recently received a number of enquires about this resource. Please visit http://lcgb.org/shop.html to download your free knitting pattern.

We now have a Portugese translation of this pattern available to download, is anyone able to provide other translations?

Health Professional Registration

IBCLCs in the UK are to seek Health Professional Registration. Hilary Myers, Chairperson of LCGB, is leading the way on this process.

BMJ Article

Six months of exclusive breastfeeding: how good is the evidence?
Frewtrell M, Wilson D, Booth I, Lucas A (2011) BMJ 2011; 342:c5955 http://www.bmj.com/cgi/doi/10.1136/bmj.c5955

This article published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) is being reported in the media as questioning whether exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is appropriate for UK babies. This article is not based on new evidence but rather a re-analysis of older evidence, much of which is the same as that used as the basis for weaning recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UK�s Departments of Health (DH).

WHO recommended the introduction of solid food at around 6 months alongside continued breastfeeding in 2001. This was based on evidence that the early introduction of solid food to babies increased the risk of infection and disease. In 2003, DH also began to recommend introducing solids at 'around 6 months', changing from its previous position of 'at 4-6 months'.The authors of the BMJ article question this recommendation for UK babies. The basis of their arguments is that delaying introducing solid food may increase the risk of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), coeliac disease and food allergies, and that introducing new tastes may increase acceptance of green leafy vegetables and so encourage healthy eating later in life.

The Department of Health Summary
A DH spokesperson said "The Department of Health has a clear public health policy to encourage exclusive breastfeeding for around the first 6 months of an infant's life as it is the best form of nutrition and uniquely provides substances that protect the infant from infections." The totality of the evidence supports a protective role of exclusively breastfeeding for the first 6 months of an infant's life, and there is clear scientific evidence that breastfed infants are less likely to have gastrointestinal, respiratory, ear and urinary tract infections in the short-term, and particularly infections requiring hospitalisation, even in developed countries such as the UK.

The paper in this week's BMJ is not a new research study nor is it a systematic review of all available evidence, but it merely calls for a review of the evidence on which the original recommendations on exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months and introduction of solids at around 6 months were based. It highlights that further evidence has been published since these recommendations and does not draw any definitive conclusions.

The Department of Health recognises the emerging evidence in this area and the need to review current policy on infant feeding, to ensure that the recommendations are based on the best available evidence. The Department has already asked SACN to undertake a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence underpinning UK infant and young child feeding policy, and the SACN Subgroup on Maternal and Child Nutrition started discussions around the scope of this work back in September 2010."

The UNICEF UK response.

National Breastfeeding Week 2010 at Westminster

On Monday 21st June a parliamentary reception was held at the House of Commons, Westminster, hosted by the Member of Parliament, Emily Thornberry, to celebrate National Breastfeeding Week 2010 and 3 years since the launch of the Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition (BMC). I was honoured to represent Lactation Consultants (IBCLC's), as a Board Member of International Lactation Consultants Association (ILCA) and an Honorary Member of Lactation Consultants of Great Britain (LCGB). LCGB has been a member of the Breastfeeding Manifesto since its conception.

Many Members of Parliament attended as did representatives from many member groups. The reception was chaired by TV sports presenter and athlete Charlie Webster and speakers included Graham Allen MP and the BMC steering group members Dr Judith Meek and Alison Baum. Speaking at the event, BMC spokesperson Anne Fox said: "It is essential that we have the support of MPs to ensure that every opportunity is taken in Parliament to support initiatives to improve breastfeeding rates in the UK . Investing in children right at the very start can save the NHS in the longer term and allows children an equal chance to be healthy." We are particularly delighted that Annette Brooke MP has agreed to be our Government Champion and Graham Allen MP has pledged his continued support by becoming our Labour Party Champion. Unfortunately the new Minister for Health, Mr. Lansley could not be there and is not yet a signatory... You can view the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/51448763@N02/ and video online http://www.vimeo.com/bestbeginnings/videos

The BMC is supported by 41 other members, 190 Members of Parliament and over 9000 individual parents and healthcare professionals. Alison Baum and her energetic team at Breastfeeding Manifesto have 7 objectives and solutions, which raise awareness of the need to support society with breastfeeding and improve infant feeding practices, so that every child in the UK gets an equal chance to be as healthy as possible. Please do join today and also approach your local MP to sign up to support the Breastfeeding Manifesto, whether a newly appointed MP or not. www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk/signup.php

Sue Saunders IBCLC

Congratulations!

Sue Saunders, LCGB committee member, has been invited to join the ILCA Board as Director of Professional Development.

Profile....Hilary Myers

Our National Co-ordinator was featured in a recent publication of Practising Midwife- a tribute to Hilary’s work and an excellent promotion for breastfeeding and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants.
Download the article here.

Radio

LCGB has been represented on Radio 4 Woman's Hour. In August 2009 Addy Henderson, our media representative, was invited to take part in a discussion on induced lactation. Fiona Giles, author of Fresh Milk, was also contributing.