03 December 2007

BREASTFEEDING MANIFESTO NOW HAS 270 MPs in support

Stafford’s Labour MP David Kidney has today hosted a meeting of the Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition at which members learned that 270 MPs have pledged their support. All the main parties are represented in the Coalition’s call for mothers and families to be better supported.

David Kidney says that this is a busy time for the Coalition:

“The Government has consulted on two measures that relate to calls in the manifesto. The first is a plan to protect mothers who breastfeed in public places from discrimination. The second is about the marketing of breast milk substitutes. Members of the Coalition have a direct interest in these issues and that is why hundreds of the responses to the consultations have come from supporters of the manifesto.

“I look forward to progress in our society whereby women feel enabled to initiate and continue breastfeeding, where parents are supported to make informed choices about feeding their babies and everyone is aware of the significant benefits associated with breastfeeding.

“To this end, I shall continue to support the Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition in Parliament and in Stafford constituency. I continue to discuss the manifesto’s seven policies with Ministers and to ask Questions in Parliament.”

Note for Editors: The seven calls in the Breastfeeding Manifesto are:

• (1) Implement the WHO’s Global Strategy on Infant and Young Child feeding;
• (2) Implement NICE guidance on postnatal care;
• (3) Improve training for health professionals;
• (4) Work with employers to create a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers;
• (5) Support breastfeeding in public places;
• (6) Include breastfeeding education in the curriculum and
• (7) Adopt the WHO Code of Marketing of breast milk substitutes.