INTEGRATED INFANT FEEDING SERVICE AND ANTENATAL SUPPORT

Description

The aim of the work is to contribute to the reduction in the drop off in breastfeeding rates from birth to 6-8 weeks by 10% by 2025. There are two elements of service delivery:- 1. Integrated Feeding Team Peer Support Service This is a unique and effective partnership between Ayrshire & Arran Health Board and a service provider for the provision of breastfeeding peer support. The provider will be part of an Integrated Infant Feeding Team involving Ayrshire & Arran Health Board maternity unit, Community Midwives and Health Care Visitors. The peer support co-ordinator will be based in Ayrshire Maternity Unit (AMU) and will review delivery and discharge reports for those first mothers who are breastfeeding and will allocate them a community peer supporter within 48 hours of discharge from AMU. The peer supporter will make contact with women within this 48 hour window and provide ongoing support via home visits, phone calls and text messages for 6-8 weeks. The peer support will be delivered 6 days a week. It will be a necessary requirement for the service manager, peer support coordinator and the peer supporters to have honorary contracts with NHS Ayrshire & Arran to enable access to appropriate systems. 2. Ante Natal Support “Bump Buddies” Bump Buddies is delivered in 3 week blocks to pregnant women. In week one pregnant women are able to connect with their peers and discuss myths and things they may have heard. In the following two weeks their wider support network is invited to come along, and at these sessions responsive breast and bottle feeding, normal infant behaviours, first milk, skin to skin, chest crawl and bonding are discussed. Parents who attend are invited to a WhatsApp group where resources are shared and peer supporters are available to offer support, this also provides a forum for families to support one another before and after their baby arrives. There will be a minimum of 17 blocks delivered within one calendar year.