About NBA
When two vital breastfeeding support services in Northamptonshire were facing closure, a group of passionate parents embarked on a large-scale campaign in protest.
The Northampton Baby Café (a specialist drop-in clinic run by highly skilled breastfeeding advisors) and Mum-to-Mum peer support service (an NHS service for pregnant and new mothers in hospital and the community) were under threat following funding cuts by Northamptonshire NHS and were due to cease in the Spring 2012.
Faced with the prospect of no NHS funded breastfeeding support provision in the county, parents united. The campaign that followed involved letters and emails to MPs, Councillors and Northamptonshire PCT, significant social media activity, a peaceful protest and an e-petition. The power and determination of the group captured the interest of the local media, raising public awareness and highlighting the importance of breastfeeding support services to the decision makers who had previously refused to acknowledge the concerns of service users.
The result - breastfeeding was back on the local health agenda
After months of campaigning, the Northampton Baby Café was saved by donations from 20 County and Borough Councillors and Northampton NCT. Disappointingly, the highly valued Mum to Mum peer support service ceased in April 2012.
The group’s efforts had however ensured that breastfeeding was back on the local health agenda, with Northamptonshire NHS allocating a sensible budget to a new, county-wide breastfeeding support scheme that had been previously unplanned.
Northamptonshire Breastfeeding Alliance
Almost 80% of new mothers in Northamptonshire initiate breastfeeding, and for many, getting expert help, advice and peer support from like-minded mums is the reason they continue. Breastfeeding support provision could not be allowed to become threatened again – it was too important.
A passion had been ignited in the group who were now determined to ensure the county’s breastfeeding support provision was protected and improved into the future so that mothers and families have the opportunity to fulfil a positive breastfeeding journey. And so Northamptonshire Breastfeeding Alliance (NBA) was born.
Focus of NBA
The Save the Northampton Baby Café and Mum to Mum campaign had highlighted significant failings in the county’s breastfeeding support provision compared to neighbouring counties, but it also showed that the views and opinions of parents regarding changes to breastfeeding services were largely unheard.
As the voice of breastfeeding mums and babies, NBA representatives will now act as committee members on local breastfeeding strategy groups; Maternity Northants and breastfeeding forums at both Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals. Fundraising, lobbying and collaboration is also high on the NBA agenda.
NBA is made up largely of breastfeeding mothers who will work to support, protect, promote and normalise breastfeeding in the county – more on our mission.
Find out how to become a member here.