In March last year county councillors nodded through controversial changes to breastfeeding services across Kent.

The move was met with fierce opposition amid fears mothers would be left without crucial support in the first few weeks of getting to grips with feeding a newborn.

A particular concern was the change to the way mums needing extra help could access a lactation consultant, with the previous drop-in service at children’s centres changed to an appointment-based system.

But despite the shake-up, one year on - and as breastfeeding awareness week approaches - experts say work by a dedicated voluntary sector, Kent County Council, health services and charities has meant mums in Canterbury have not been left high and dry.

Lyn Scazafabo, director at PS Breastfeeding CIC - which previously ran the county’s breastfeeding service before it was transferred to the NHS health visiting team, funded by KCC, last year - says mums in the district can access help every day of the week if needed.

“Canterbury is a wonderful example of the proverb 'it takes a village' when it comes to helping breastfeeding families,” she said.

"We know that the first or second week after a baby is born is a very critical time so women need to get help quickly and the right kind of support to be able to meet their goals for breastfeeding.

"Working with the health service, charities and other third-sector organisations, we're trying to make sure that safety net is there."

Last year, a report by Unicef revealed the UK has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world, despite the benefits.

'Canterbury is a breastfeeding-friendly city and a forerunner for supporting feeding publicly' - Lyn Scazafabo

Ms Scazafabo says the work they are doing is to help normalise breastfeeding and support those who have chosen to breastfeed.

She says in Canterbury, mothers can access a group at St Andrew's Church run by PS Breastfeeding every week on a Thursday, from 11.30am to 1pm, with a lactation consultant on hand.

Three specialist consultants have also been taken on by KCC offering one-to-one clinics by appointment at Joy Lane children’s centre in Whitstable and Little Hands in Wincheap.

This is in addition to breastfeeding drop-in sessions run by health visitors and community nursery nurses at children’s centres - Riverside in Canterbury, Joy Lane and Poppy in Herne Bay.

There are also free antenatal classes at Little Hands and meetings twice a month by charity La Leche League.

"Within the last few months we've also seen the East Kent Hospitals trust hire a lactation consultant to help at William Harvey and QEQM hospitals," said Ms Scazafabo.

She adds that Canterbury is a breastfeeding-friendly city and a forerunner for supporting feeding publicly.

Hannah Croft, who runs the group in St Andrew's Church, says while the support is out there, making sure mums know about it is crucial, particularly antenatally.

"We put a lot of emphasis on birth, but we don't talk about the aftermath and the reality of looking after and feeding a baby when you're recovering from something so huge."

Jinny Robinson-Bright, clinical services manager, public health, at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, which runs breastfeeding services for KCC, says they want to support mothers to breastfeed for as long as they want to.

"Our breastfeeding drop in groups are supportive, social, and welcome all pregnant and breastfeeding women and their families," she said.

"Our health visiting staff and trained breastfeeding champions will be able to provide information and help if you have a breastfeeding concern or you can simply come along for some social support from other breastfeeding mums.

"There are groups in Herne Bay, Whitstable and Canterbury every week.

"The service also runs a health visiting duty phone advice service Monday to Friday, 9am and 5pm."

Call 0300 7900 150 for the Canterbury and district team.

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