Nurture Groups Support Breastfeeding Mums

The Health Visiting Service has developed breastfeeding nurture support groups to help new mums who need help and information on breastfeeding. The groups provide support to mums in areas where there was previously no access to support and low breastfeeding rates.

Nurture is part of the Trust’s overall strategy to promote, sustain and increase breastfeeding rates across the York.  Working in partnership the aim is to achieve “Baby Friendly” status for the city.

Nurture was first established in Acomb in 2011 and following its success a second group was set up in spring 2013 in Clifton, with a third group planned to launch at the Avenues Children Centre in Heworth.  

Nurture is now a joint initiative between the NHS, local Children’s Centres and Treasure Chest breastfeeding support group.

Mums can attend with babies for help with breastfeeding problems including attachment and positioning, alongside advice on dealing with thrush and tongue tie.  It is a relaxed and friendly group, mums-to-be are also welcome to attend along with partners and grandparents.

Health Visitor Lynn Fitzharris, explained: “The establishment of the Nurture Groups not only supports women with breastfeeding problems and complexities but in turn supports the local peer support group Treasure Chest as well as helping with our health visiting caseloads.

“As well as supporting women our overall aim is to improve the continuation of breastfeeding.

“Both groups are well attended and we are excited to be launching a third group shortly. An audit of breastfeeding rates is ongoing and in both areas, where there are Nurture Groups we are delighted to see an increase in breastfeeding rates at six to eight weeks.

Lynn continued: “Breastfeeding has been well researched over the years and research shows that it really does make a difference, not only while they are babies, or children, but throughout their lives.

“It has been shown that breastfeeding is good for the efficiency of the baby’s immune system, the strength of mother-child relationship and the eating habits of babies, children, and even adults who have been breastfed.

“There are also benefits for women who find that they loose weight more easily with breastfeeding and are less likely to develop breast or ovarian cancer in later life.”

The Nurture Groups take place at the following times:

Notes to Editors:

• The first Nurture group was set up in Acomb to provide support locally, as women previously had to travel across the city to access breastfeeding advice and support. The group first met on the old Manor School site in 2011 and in August 2013 relocated to Explore Library in Acomb.

• Following its success a second Nurture group was set up in Clifton in 2013 last year.  The group was established because Mums in the area said that it was too far to travel to Acomb, the Children’s Centre staff were also keen to offer a group to local mums.

• Nurture is part of the Trust’s overall strategy to promote, sustain and increase breastfeeding rates across the City of York.  Our aim is to work in partnership with all partners and local authority to achieve “Baby Friendly” status for the city.

• Health Visitor, Lynn Fitzharris, is the Trust’s breastfeeding champion and leads joint training and initiatives to support the community in achieving this goal.

28 February 2014