Little Angels, the breastfeeding support group for new mothers, will no longer provide services in Blackburn with Darwen from October 1.
This has been agreed due to current financial challenges faced within the public sector and an exit strategy has been developed to reduce any disruption and impact to families.
Below is a description of the current service provision and the changes to service:
Current Service Provision
Changes to service
Antenatal
Attendance at Darwen parent craft sessions. Little Angels support due to end October 1
Darwen Parentcraft will be picked up by Infant Feeding Team from October 1.
Hospital
Support at Royal Blackburn Hospital, bedside and daily breastfeeding support group
A rota system is being established for the infant feeding team and volunteers to provide more limited daily breast feeding support.
Postnatal home visits
Mothers contacted within 48 hours of discharge or home birth and given a minimum of two home visits
Little Angels support ceased on September 19. Mainstream service pathway, including midwifery and health visitors will continue to support mums after this date.
Community breast feeding groups
Facilitated weekly in five children’s centre by Little Angels peer supporters
Little Angels to continue until end of service – October 1. Four community breast feeding groups to continue- Livesey, Audley, Wensley Fold, Earcroft. Shadsworth will cease due to ongoing poor uptake.
Support groups will now be provided during term time only.
Postnatal telephone support
Weekly contact for first six weeks – will continue until Sunday, September 19.
Hospital care leaflets including breastfeeding top tips and national helpline numbers will be made available.
Data Collection (Tracker sheets)
Babies born on August 20 or after will not be tracked and data will not be collected by Little Angels after this point. Main mode of data collection will remain through GPs.
Volunteers
Volunteer programme recently initiated with the first group trained. Ongoing supervision, mentoring and additional training.
Volunteers to be signposted to infant feeding team for further supervision and mentoring via ELHT.
24 Hour Helpline
Little Angels will no longer be providing a telephone support service 24/7 and only providing from 9 – 5pm, Monday to Friday with immediate effect.
Helpline hours have been reduced with immediate effect and will continue until the end of September. There are a number breastfeeding support lines that our local families can access.
Details of breastfeeding support contact numbers are listed below:
