Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Director of Reform which provided a detailed performance review of the percentage of infants who are fully or partially breastfed at 6-8 weeks old. The report had been brought to the Committee as an exception report due to non-achievement of the corporate target for 2017/18.

Members were informed that the last three performance reports up to September 2017 had shown no improvement in the number of infants who were breastfed. Members were informed that the 2017/18 corporate target set for this indicator was 42%, however provisional data suggested the actual year end performance was 38.5% (subject to national validation).

Members were provided with further details with regards to:

·         6-8 week breastfeeding rates in Oldham.

·         Review of ward level performance for the last three years.

·         The benefits and challenges of increasing breastfeeding rates.

·         The support, interventions and services in place to improve breastfeeding in the Borough.

Members were informed that giving nothing but breast milk is recommended for the first 6 months (26 weeks) of a baby’s life. The benefits of breastfeeding are both wide ranging and long lasting for both mother and child. It was noted that breastfeeding reduces a baby’s risk of developing ear and chest infections, diarrhoea and vomiting, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), tooth decay, childhood leukaemia, obesity and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Breastfeeding mothers also reduce their risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis (weak bones).

Members were informed that in Oldham, evidence suggests that there appears to be a higher prevalence of South Asian mothers who breastfeed their babies compared to the white British communities. Mothers from a higher socio-demographic status and more affluent areas appear to have higher breastfeeding rates compared to mothers from lower socio-demographic status and more deprived neighbourhoods.

Members were advised that across the Oldham wards, there is a wide variation in breastfeeding rates, with higher than average rates in Saddleworth North, Saddleworth South, Werneth and Coldhurst wards. The lower rates were seen in Chadderton South, Failsworth East and Failsworth West. It was noted that the rates are broadly higher in wards with less deprivation and/or high South Asian populations, in line with national evidence.

Members were provided with a list of Baby Welcome Scheme venues in Oldham. Members noted that some wards have more venues than other, and queried whether the Baby Welcome Scheme could be a condition when a business is applying for a licence. It was stated that breastfeeding needs to stop being a taboo subject and that being a Baby Welcome venue will promote the business also.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The revised target of 40% for M860 CP 2.02ii - % of all infants due a 6-8 week check that are totally or partially breastfed be agreed.

2.    The content of the report be noted and Members support the continued efforts of 0-5 services to improve breastfeeding rates.

3.    The proposal to develop a policy which supports Oldham to become a ‘breastfeeding friendly town’ be supported in principle.

4.    An annual progress report on breastfeeding progress in 2019/20 be accepted.