Derbyshire NHS campaign supporting new parents

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust has launched a campaign to help parents feel confident with the decisions they make about feeding their babies.

The ‘I Choose’ campaign shares lots of information, via the Derbyshire Family Health Service website, to assist parents in making a choice which is right for them and their baby when it comes to how they feed their baby.

Following feedback from new mums and caregivers, the campaign seeks to address the worries or concerns that new parents or carers can sometimes feel.

It is hoped that by providing mums/caregivers with researched information and friendly support, Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust children’s services can help them to make informed decisions on how to feed their baby. Whether this choice is breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or a mix of both.

The campaign was set up because the children’s services team could see a need for more help for mums/caregivers to feel confident and supported with their feeding decisions. The campaign will provide information via social media and the Derbyshire Family Health Service website. Healthcare professionals will also be handing out information postcards to parents. Parents can also phone, text and use the online chat for advice and support; see details below.

The campaign also recognises the importance of a new family’s wider network of family and friends in supporting mums/caregivers. It offers handy tips to enable the wider network involved in a baby’s life to be there for mum and caregivers when they need help, even if they have different ideas of how to feed their baby. The I Choose web page has practical tips and advice for partners, family and friends on how to be there for mums or caregivers, especially during those first weeks of having a new baby.

Gill McCavana, specialist infant feeding lead at Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust, says “We know everyone’s journey of how they feed their baby is different. Sometimes it doesn't go to plan and is really tough. Sometimes mums/ caregivers want to do things differently to how those around them fed, or feed, their babies. Sometimes a new parent just wants to feel good enough. We’re here to help them on their journey.”

Above all, the I Choose campaign aims to support mums and carers to have a warm and loving relationship with their new baby.                                                     

For more information on I Choose and for information on getting infant feeding support and advice visit the Derbyshire Family Health Service website: I Choose :: Derbyshire Family Health Service

Parents and carers can also call the Derbyshire Family Health Service on 01246 515100. This information and support line for parents, carers and young people is available Monday to Friday, 9am - 4.30pm, except bank holidays.

Parents and carers can also text the ChatHealth number on 07507 327769. This is a confidential text messaging service for parents/ carers of 0 - 5 year olds, providing advice and support from a healthcare professional from Monday to Friday, 9am – 4.30pm, except bank holidays.

For any questions about breastfeeding or formula feeding, a live web chat with a Derbyshire Community Health Services healthy family peer support worker is available on the Derbyshire Family Health Service website on the 0-5 years page, Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 12 noon.