This week (1-7 June 2020) is breastfeeding celebration week and the theme this year is promoting and supporting breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The infant feeding team at Newcastle Hospitals led by senior midwife Lynne McDonald, provides specialist, holistic care, and is a hugely important part of the Maternity and Neonatal Service. The team are embracing the challenge of continuing to support women who want to breastfeed amid an unprecedented pandemic.
To reduce the number of women who need to come into hospital the clinic now offers video consultations. Midwife Angela Gibbs said: “We worked really quickly to get the clinic online, it is really important to us that we are able to work with those women who want to breastfeed but need that extra level of support.
“I was really concerned that we would have to stop running the clinic but I couldn’t be happier about how it has worked out. Video consultations are working so well, often in clinic if we’re observing a feed to check positioning the women are in an environment they aren’t familiar with, they can often feel uncomfortable and this can be stressful for mum and baby.
“By using video consultations we are able to speak to the women we support while they are at home, in an environment they are comfortable in so they’re more relaxed and importantly they are able to have their partners with them.”
One of the women benefitting from the new online clinic is Helen Sanger, 35, a physiotherapist originally from London but now living in Newcastle with her husband Ben.
Helen gave birth to their daughter Annabelle at the RVI in April and has been supported by Lynne and Angela to continue to breastfeed. Helen said: “I think if it weren’t for COVID-19 then I would never have opted for a video appointment. I always felt that face to face is better. However, this experience has changed my opinion of video consultations – it was so easy to use, and so great to be able to have an appointment whilst still being in the comfort of my own home.
“From a practical point of view, with a new baby who I was trying to breastfeed, not having to get to the RVI – waiting in a hospital waiting room, perhaps not knowing where easy places to get her changed, or grab a drink, or whatever I needed, was wonderful.
“I was surprised and so relieved that the clinic was still doing face to face consultations for urgent assessments, and that they were using the telephone and video consultations for routine and follow-up contacts. Being able to access their support, at a time when all other normal support such as peer group meetings, informal support from friends and family is not possible made all the difference to me.”
The infant feeding team were recently been named winners of a prestigious, national award by the Royal College of Midwives. The team won the ‘Partnership Working Award’ at a virtual ceremony in May, after impressing judges with their teamwork approach towards developing dedicated breastfeeding clinics.
Helen who is now settling in to life with a newborn is thankful to the team at the RVI for their support, she said: “Lynne and Angela are both so knowledgeable, and amazingly accessible, even during the COVID19 pandemic and all the changes to NHS services that have had to happen as a result. We are very lucky in Newcastle to have a breastfeeding service with two IBCLC Lactation Consultants. Angela in particular has been incredibly supportive, positive, and always accessible.”
As the NHS moves towards the next phase of the pandemic Angela hopes that the team can continue to support women who choose to breastfeed during this unusual time: “It’s been wonderful to be able to continue to offer support women to breastfeed during the pandemic, as breast milk protects babies from infection and diseases, this support seems more crucial than ever. Whether a mum wishes to exclusively breastfeed or is thinking of offering the first breastfeed only, any amount of breast milk is invaluable.
“Mums really are superheroes without capes and it is an honour for us to be their cheerleaders.”
Online support about breastfeeding can be found here https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/breastfeeding/
