Breastfeeding is recognised by the World Health Organisation as one of the most effective interventions to reduce health inequalities, especially in Northern Ireland where our rates are some of the lowest in the world. However, there is a notable disparity in breastfeeding rates between disadvantaged and affluent communities, contributing to significant health outcome gaps for children. Breastival offered parents a place to learn the evidence-based information for informed choices on their parenting journey, including feeding their babies. This project was created to empower families by offering sessions, one in the the pre-natal period as preparation for the baby’s arrival and one for mums in the early days of their children's lives to check in and see how she is doing.
Our Goal
The primary objective of our project was to give mothers and families a sense of belonging and value within a society that often overlooks them. We wanted to help mothers wade through the vast amounts of misinformation available and support them in making decisions that are right for their families. Our goal was to shift mindsets, increase confidence, and provide tangible information on key parenting choices, including breastfeeding.
Sustainability and future
The long-term impact of this project lies in the relationships built and the knowledge shared. While the workshops were one-off sessions, the families have the learning they gained to support them on their parenting journeys. The relationships forged with local services and sure starts are a positive addition for Breastival moving forward and the families that attended the workshops will have a connection to us for future events. The relationships shared by the mums will be beneficial as their children grow and will offer peer support during the stages of their children's lives. We plan to use the feedback from families' data to advocate for better breastfeeding support and to continue offering projects free of charge to our communities on topics that they care most about.
How We Did It
The workshops were designed to be interactive and engaging, combining evidence-based information and nurturing support for families to advocate for themselves. Throughout the postnatal sessions, mothers reflected on their experiences, discovered what they needed from their support systems and documented the early days of their baby’s life. They used specially designed booklets to record their journey thus far, helping them recognise the tangible impact of their efforts. The booklets were designed to give mothers prompts to revisit the way their baby came into the world and space to put their feelings in a way they might not have had the opportunity to do before. A large part of the second session was a pause in the busy time of new motherhood to debrief any difficult emotions and the complexity of the experience. The sessions were also an opportunity for mothers to connect with one another, share experiences, and discuss advocacy for their needs. By partnering with local women’s centres, Sure Start programs, and family support spaces, we reached the families who could benefit most from the workshop.
Collaboration with local support services is a key part of our sustainability strategy. By working with these organisations, we can ensure the continued impact of the project and create a ripple effect that extends throughout the community. Ultimately, the workshops have empowered families, raised awareness of the economic good of building babies and raising families, and provided a foundation for ongoing support and advocacy for local families.
“We were delighted to be able to develop the work we do in communities with the support of elevate funding. This process provided us with resources to deliver workshops to expectant parents and mothers with young babies. Families were able to prepare for their exciting new journey and plan for what the future holds for their families. New Mums found a space to navigate the experience of the early days of motherhood, finding comfort in shared experience at our group meet ups.”
