|
|
|
|
 |
| NCT Statement NICE Guidelines to improve the nutrition of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children in low-income households - 03/26/2008 |
Rosie Dodds, Policy Researcher at the NCT, said;
We support the priority given to increasing support for breastfeeding as one of the most effective ways to reduce inequalities in health. Full implementation of the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative across hospital and community services, improved training for health professionals and peer support schemes for breastfeeding women should enable more families to access accurate information and sensitive support when they need it. English health services have fallen behind Scotland and Northern Ireland in the meeting the Baby Friendly standards in spite of the NICE Postnatal Care recommendation 20 months ago that it should be rolled out across acute and community services. As NICE point out;
‘Interventions that successfully increase breastfeeding initiation and duration among those least inclined to breastfeed are likely to be highly cost effective.’
We endorse the Guideline Development group’s view that the value of the Healthy Start vouchers should be increased and more community based food initiatives should be able to use the vouchers. These vouchers are targeted at the poorest mothers and children who are not always able to afford a healthy diet.
We are also glad to see the instruction to NHS trusts, health centres, GP surgeries, children’s centres, and pharmacists to avoid promoting or advertising infant formula or follow-on formula through leaflets, posters, charts, educational materials or any other materials and equipment produced by infant formula, bottle and teat manufacturers. There has been a great deal of naivety in allowing some services, information material and training to be sponsored by those with conflicts of interest.
We now urgently need mechanisms to ensure there is rapid action to implement these recommendations, not only throughout the health service, but also in local authorities, schools, community and social services departments. |
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|