More mothers in Sunderland are now breastfeeding than ever before, with rates at 6–8 weeks rising from 33.4% in 2023/24 to 37.3% in 2024/25.
Sunderland City Council is working with partners across the city to support breastfeeding families by providing access to information, guidance and support through midwives, health visitors and Best Start Family Hubs.
Emma Bradwell, 22, from Houghton-le-Spring, is mam to four-month-old Mabel. Emma says the support from the breastfeeding support group at the Coalfields Best Start Family Hub is what has helped her get through a difficult start to breastfeeding.
She said:
“I’ve had quite a complicated feeding journey and it took my baby a while to gain weight, it was really challenging and I was doubting myself, so my health visitor recommended the breastfeeding support group at the Coalfield Family Hub and they were able to help so much, they gave me a feeding plan and helped me to express milk.
“If I’m honest, I wouldn’t have continued breastfeeding if it wasn’t for the group. They were amazing, they reassured me and it was inspiring to see mams further on in their breastfeeding journey who had experienced the same challenges as me but managed to keep going.”
Emma said the face-to-face support she received helped because it was tailored to her, she explained:
“The support group have got to know me and Mabel, so we always feel so welcome and all the support I’ve had has been personalised for my exact situation.”
Sunderland City Council and Together for Children are supporting this year’s Big Latch On which takes place on Friday 27 March. Breastfeeding mams will meet in Keel Square at 1pm before heading to Sheepfolds Stables ahead of the Big Latch On, an international annual event which aims to promote and support breastfeeding.
Across the city, venues and businesses are also supporting breastfeeding families by signing up to the Breastfeeding Friendly Sunderland Pledge.
Venues signed up to the pledge display a Breastfeeding Friendly Sunderland window sticker to show they have staff who support breastfeeding, and that there will be a clean and comfortable place to breastfeed in. The pledge aims to help mothers feel comfortable and confident to breastfeed their babies when they’re out and about in the city.
Councillor Kelly Chequer, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities, said: “Breastfeeding has health benefits for both mothers and babies. We’ve been working closely with partners across the city to make sure every mother who wants to breastfeed has the support they need. There’s still more to do, but it’s encouraging to see more families breastfeeding for longer.
Venues can sign up to the pledge at: Breastfeeding Friendly Sunderland | Links for Life Sunderland
Find breastfeeding support and information at: Breastfeeding support and information – Sunderland City Council
Find out more about the support available from Family Hubs at: Sunderland Best Start Family Hubs | Links for Life Sunderland
