Breastfeeding CD timetabled for schools

The Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) has launched a unique breastfeeding educational CD resource for schools to assist teachers in their approach to the sensitive topic of breastfeeding in a way that is both interesting and thought provoking.

Breastfeeding is recognised as a major public health issue and as such it is vitally important that education about breastfeeding should start in childhood, particularly in Northern Ireland where there is a strong bottle-feeding culture. The World Health Organization states that accurate information should in fact be provided through schools to promote positive attitudes to breastfeeding and the DHSSPS Breastfeeding Strategy for Northern Ireland recommends that breastfeeding education is undertaken at both primary and post-primary school level. ¹, ²

As a result, the HPA approached the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in order to develop a breastfeeding resource in electronic format for schools, and the end result of this unique collaboration was launched today.

Janet Calvert, Regional Breastfeeding Coordinator at the HPA, said: "I am delighted we are launching this resource. The CD was piloted in a number of schools here and the feedback from both teachers and pupils was extremely positive. The aim of this resource is to provide significant support to those involved in educating school children about the importance of breastfeeding to the health of mum and baby and sensitively tackles the need to change attitudes towards breastfeeding.

"We have the lowest breastfeeding rates in the UK and one of the reasons why women do not breastfeed is due to lack of knowledge about the importance of breastfeeding for health as well as poor social acceptability of it. This resource provides accurate, up-to-date information that allows pupils to consider their own attitudes and perceptions of society to breastfeeding. Ultimately it is hoped that the information gained by students will help to positively influence the choices they make as prospective parents in the future."

It should be remembered that while breastfeeding is a natural act it is also a learned behaviour and so providing information through schools is a golden opportunity to promote greater awareness and positive perceptions of the issue.

Breastfeeding has many health benefits for both baby and mum. Breastfed babies are less likely to have many illnesses, including stomach, chest and ear infections, as well as asthma, diabetes and obesity. Breast milk protects premature babies against serious bowel disorders and ensures better eyesight and brain development.

Commenting on the new resource during the launch Glynis Henderson, Principal Officer, CCEA, said:  "It is important that children and young people learn about this health issue in school so they are well informed about the choices they make in relation to infant feeding in the future. Health information provided to pupils must be both enjoyable and thought provoking. This CD is exactly that. It has been developed with the needs of teachers and pupils in mind. The resource supports various aspects of the curriculum including Home Economics and Health and Social Care. I am confident it will have an impact in the classroom."

Almost 1,000 packs have been produced and are currently being distributed to all post-primary schools in Northern Ireland.

END

Notes to the Editor:
There will be a media facility on Tuesday 8 April at the HPA, 18 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, between 11.30am - 12.00 noon.

¹ World Health Organization. Global Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding. Geneva: WHO, 2002.
² Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Northern Ireland Breastfeeding Strategy. Belfast: DHSSPS, 1999.

The evaluation of the CD resource can be found at:
www.healthpromotionagency.org.uk/Resources/breastfeeding/
Breastfeeding_awareness_eval.htm

For media enquiries contact:
The HPA Press Office on Tel: 028 9031 1611.