RCM: More midwives needed
Friday, 15 Feb 2008 12:16
More midwives are needed to improve the number of new mothers who breastfeed, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has said.
It believes that if there were more midwives they would have the time to discuss breastfeeding with new mothers.
The comments follow the government's announcement that a new breastfeeding helpline is to be set up to provide advice and support.
"This is very welcome and long overdue news that will help, encourage and support mothers to breastfeed," said Frances Day-Stirk, an RCM director.
"However, there is also a need for midwives to be given the time to talk to, advise and support mothers with breastfeeding. There are simply not enough of them at the moment to enable them to do this effectively, so while the helpline is a positive step, it is one of a number of measures that are needed, and needed now."
