What needs to be done and why?
Strategic Issue 1
What needs to be done
Offer a Tongue Tie Support Clinic (staff currently in Training to support with this).
Why
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) can significantly affect breastfeeding. This can potentially lead to difficulties in latching, resulting in pain for the mother and slow weight gain for the baby. Breastfeeding is a vital public health priority due to its profound benefits for infants, mothers, and society. The UK has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates globally, the proportion of babies’ who’s first feed was breastmilk experienced a significant decline between 2021/22 and 2022/23 from 96.6% to 67.3%.
Strategic Issue 2
What needs to be done
Targeted support for vulnerable groups especially young mothers, and those with lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Why
Despite the health benefits, the UK has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates globally. This presents significant health and wellbeing risks, particularly in areas of socio-economic deprivation where mothers may face cultural barriers, lack of support, and limited access to breastfeeding services. These disparities contribute to increased hospital admissions for preventable conditions, poorer maternal health outcomes, and wider inequalities in child development and educational attainment.
Strategic Issue 3
What needs to be done
Stage 2 Accreditation achieved in 2025 with Unicef (Hartlepool Family Hubs & Health Visiting Team). Continue to Stage 3 Unicef accreditation (Family Hubs & Health Visitors) and involve more local business supporting breast feeding in Hartlepool.
Why
The accreditation is based on a set of interlinking evidence-based standards designed to provide parents with the best possible care to build close and loving relationships with their baby and to feed their baby in ways which will support optimum health and development10. Working towards this accreditation with embed standards and support evidence based learning outcomes to support Baby Friendly standards in the workplace.