 Breastfeeding
- growth charts
At last the UK adopts new growth charts based on breast-fed babies.
All newborn babies and children up to four years old will have their
growth measurements plotted on new charts.
The launch of the charts, which have been developed for the Department
of Health by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, based
on the World Health Organisation's work, coincides with National Breastfeeding
Awareness Week (10 - 16 May) and replaces current measures which are based
predominately on babies fed with formula milk.
Research shows that breast-fed babies tend to gain weight at a healthier
pace and are less likely to become obese in later life. The new charts
will play an important role in establishing breastfeeding as the norm
and will be included in the Personal Child Health Records, which parents
of every newborn are given. They will help parents and healthcare professionals
identify children at early risk of obesity and provide important reassurance
for parents of breast-fed babies, who are likely to gain weight more slowly.
 The
new charts include parent-friendly instructions and a chart specifically
for premature babies. As babies can lose and gain weight at different
rates during birth and two weeks, it is recommended that they are not
measured during this time. The charts also help make more reliable predictions
of a child's adult height.
Dr Sheila Shribman, National Clinical Director for Children, Young People
and Maternity at the Department of Health said, "Breastfeeding is the
best form of nutrition for infants. It gives health benefits for both
the baby and the mother - even after they are no longer breastfeeding.
It protects against stomach bugs and chest infections, provides perfect
nutrition for the first six months, and reduces the likelihood of becoming
obese in later childhood.
 "The
new UK-WHO growth charts will not only provide more accurate measurements
for infant growth of breastfed babies, but will also help healthcare professionals
and parents to identify early signs of overweight or obesity and provide
support." Professor Terence Stephenson, President of Royal College of
Paediatrics and Child Health said: "The new charts have given us the opportunity
to give growth charts a complete facelift and for the first time, position
breastfeeding as 'the norm'. We hope they will be the stimulus for healthcare
professionals to explain to women best practice for healthy growth and
in turn, encourage more women to breastfeed their child."
The charts and supporting educational materials can viewed on www.rcpch.ac.uk.
The new growth charts covering newborns to 4 year olds replace the current
UK90 charts and are included in the newly updated Personal Child Health
Record, which is given to all new parents.
Other features of the revised Personal Child Health Record include information
on the Healthy Child Programme and information on new one year and two
to two and a half year reviews, as well as on breast-feeding support service
.
The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first
six months (26 weeks) of an infant's life, as breast milk provides all
the nutrients a baby needs at this time. Breastfeeding (and/or breastmilk
substitutes, if used) should continue beyond the first six months along
with appropriate types and amounts of solid foods
Research indicates breastmilk helps protect babies from infection and
diseases such as gastro-intestinal infections, ear infections, urine infections,
eczema and obesity in later childhood. Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives:
A Cross-Government Strategy for England aims to reverse the rise in childhood
obesity, and breastfeeding plays an integral role in this.
Breastfeeding also provides health benefits for mothers. It can help
them to return to pre-pregnancy weight and can reduce the risk of ovarian
cancer and breast cancer later in life. In England, 78% of mothers initiate
breastfeeding and only 22% are still breastfeeding at 6 months. Initiation
rates for many other European countries are much higher: Norway: 99%;
Denmark: 98%; Sweden: 97.7%; Switzerland: 94%; Austria: 93%; Italy: 91%;
Spain: 84.2%, whilst France, Ireland and Germany have lower rates than
England Germany: 77.8%; France: 69%; Ireland: 53%.
In addition to the support offered by healthcare professionals, the Department
of Health provides the National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212,
which mums can call and speak to a trained breastfeeding volunteer in
their local area.
The DH also provides a free DVD 'From bump to breastfeeding - following
real mothers' stories to find out how', available to all pregnant women
and distributed by midwives and health visitors. For more information
visit www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk
The growth charts form part of the Department of Health's long term commitment
to increasing breastfeeding rates in England.
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