Back to list 05/08/2021

World Breastfeeding week runs from Sunday 1st August to Friday 7th August 2021. The purpose of Breastfeeding Week is to inform people about the importance of breastfeeding. It is also there to ensure that breastfeeding women are confident in their right to breastfeed which is enshrined in law under the Breastfeeding Scotland Act 2005.

The most important support women can get for breastfeeding is that of those around them, partners, family, and friends. To find out more about how best to support someone you know who is breastfeeding visit our pages here.

I take responsibility for...

Since Sunday 1^st NHS Fife’s communications team have been sharing lots of positive stories, advice, information on breastfeeding and support for those breastfeeding or thinking of breastfeeding locally. The infant feeding team were asked to share their thoughts on how they take responsibility for protecting and supporting breastfeeding. They then created posters which state, ‘I take responsibility for’ and asked colleagues to share their thoughts on paper. You can see these in the gallery below.

Nurse wearing mask holding sign about babies

Nurse wearing mask holding sign about breastfeeding

Accessing breastfeeding information and support

There is a lot of information out there about breastfeeding, but it may not always be clear how to get support. Gina Graham our Community Infant Feeding Advisor has gathered much of this information here in an easy to watch format - you can even access it whilst breastfeeding!

Family and friends

The most important support you can get for breastfeeding is that of those around you, your partner, family, and friends. Access these Parentclub resources for advice on how to be a good breastfeeding support partner.

Dads and partner support - https://www.parentclub.scot/articles/breastfeeding-support-dads-and-partners
Grandparents support - https://www.parentclub.scot/articles/breastfeeding-support-grandparents
Family and friends support - https://www.parentclub.scot/articles/breastfeeding-support-friends-and-family

Professionals

Parent Club have a video of a Midwife talking about her role and supporting breastfeeding - https://www.facebook.com/1160491283986885/videos/281007980133243
NHS Staff discussing common breastfeeding challenges - https://www.parentclub.scot/topics/feeding/breastfeeding/common-challenges?age=2
Parent Club webpage on National Breastfeeding Helpline - https://www.parentclub.scot/articles/national-breastfeeding-helpline
Parent Club video on peer support which can be shared : https://www.facebook.com/1160491283986885/videos/1309910186061771

Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland

Did you know that NHS Fife Maternity Services has been accredited as a UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative ‘Gold’ service in recognition of the quality care that our families receive? The award recognises how the service promotes, supports, and protects breast feeding as well as parent-baby relationship building.

Neonatal services in Fife are also UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative accredited in recognition of supporting close and loving relationships, maximising the use of breast milk, and including parents as partners in care.