Agenda item

To consider an update on the ongoing work of the Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Delivery Plan, including around the development of a food insecurity pathway for those formula feeding, and how creating a breastfeeding-friendly city can provide an enabling environment to support breastfeeding.

Members considered an update on the Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Delivery Plan. This followed a previous report to the committee in December 2023.

The Director of Public Health and the Infant Feeding Lead provided an overview and responded to questions from the committee. The Chair also invited Dr Ndzi, the public participant, to join the discussion. It was noted that:

·        The Public Health team was expanding its work in this area through the York Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Partnership, including working towards UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) accreditation, developing a food insecurity pathway, and adopting a ‘Feeding Friendly City’ approach. This collaborative work would be informed by feedback on current service provision.

·        Breastfeeding rates in York fell from an average of 74% at delivery to 44% by 6-8 weeks. This drop was more pronounced in wards with higher rates of deprivation, falling to 29% in the most deprived ward. Work was in progress to reach families in these areas through family hubs, which were now included in BFI standards, as well as through baby and toddler groups, to provide advice and support including around expressing, and gather feedback.

·        Quarterly auditing of families’ experiences of care formed part of BFI accreditation, and audits could be tailored to ask additional questions. It was an ambition to collect a deeper level of data to better understand the reasons for falling rates within wards.

·        It was hoped that the multi-agency pathway which had been developed to support families experiencing food insecurity would be live by the end of the summer. This would include vouchers to provide formula for families in crisis issued by the Healthy Child Service and community midwifery, alongside wraparound support and advice including signposting to relevant advice organisations who could offer support around accessing benefits, fuel costs, and budgeting.

·        Work was being done with maternity services to improve the consistency of in-hospital breastfeeding support. It was important that those unable to breastfeed felt fully supported, and strategic and specialist clinical work was underway to achieve this.

·        Local efforts to counter the exploitative marketing of formula milk focused on the supportive networks across the city, but the Council’s voice was added to national campaigns when appropriate. It was noted that the Competition and Markets Authority was currently investigating formula milk pricing, and inappropriate marketing claims could be reported.

·        Peer support was invaluable, and while organisations such as Treasure Chest ran groups across the city, it was a challenge to engage families in wards where breastfeeding rates were lower. It was an ambition to undertake specific impact work with women in those areas to help develop peer support networks. A text or call-back service was also an aspiration.

·        Initial communications work was underway for a ‘Feeding Friendly City’ approach to foster an enabling environment for breastfeeding in York. This would be informed by successful initiatives from other towns and cities, and would include a public health campaign, education and training around safe feeding practices, and engagement with businesses and venues to support them to be ‘feeding friendly’ however babies were being fed. A ‘nudge’ approach would be considered as part of this work. 

·        Local efforts for World Breastfeeding Week in August would focus on supporting families to make informed choices on infant feeding, particularly around preparation during pregnancy.

The Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social care was in attendance and indicated her support for a ‘Feeding Friendly City’ approach.

Resolved:

             i.                To note and support the work being undertaken to achieve the ambition of protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding and safe infant feeding practices.

            ii.                To support the approach to York becoming a ‘feeding friendly city’.

Reason:     To keep the committee updated and to support and promote breastfeeding and safe infant feeding in York.