Blackpool Council Annual Health Report 2019 Blackpool Council Annual Health Report PAGES | Page 17

Infant feeding involves both the dependent child and mother or caregiver and
this relationship evolves during the early years of life until the child is able to eat
independently. The nature of this relationship is a key determinant of the child’s
nutritional intake; the way in which food is offered or administered and the age at
which foods are presented may affect acceptance of foods. This may either help
or hinder broadening of the diet and may have long-term implications for eating
behaviour and developing preferences for healthy foods.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends initiation of breastfeeding
within the first hour after birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months,
with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up
to two years of age or beyond 5 . Babies who are not breastfed are more likely to
suffer infectious diseases such as gastroenteritis, respiratory disease and otitis
media (middle-ear infections) leading to increased hospitalisation, morbidity and
mortality 5 . Children who have not been breastfed have increased rates of childhood
diabetes and obesity, and increased dental disease 6 .
Breastfeeding prevalence in Blackpool is low, and there has been little change
in population level breastfeeding uptake in Blackpool historically. Women who
are overweight and obese are less likely to initiate and continue to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding initiation rates in 2016/2017 were 57%, down from 63% in
2013/2014, and maintaining breastfeeding to six to eight weeks similarly remains
low at around 25%.
NUTRITION
In both cases, the rates for Blackpool are considerably lower than the England
average. It is likely that high rates of bottle feeding and risk associated with formula
feeding and premature introduction of solid foods, with other practices is likely
to contribute to increased admissions for gastroenteritis (which are significantly
higher in Blackpool than the England average).
The Better Start Partnership is training volunteers to work with new parents to help
them to feel confident in their choices about how they feed their baby, from birth
through to weaning and beyond.
The Public Health team has also been developing a Junior Healthier Choices Award,
to celebrate food establishments in Blackpool that welcome breastfeeding and
bottle-feeding on their premises, offer smaller portions and healthier choices
for infants.
5. https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
6. Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. Victoria, C et al. The Lancet, Volume 387, Issue 10017, 475 – 490.
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)01024-7/abstract
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