NCT Watch

The Hindu. Home birth rates: http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/26/stories/2008042655201100.htm

The Guardian. Homebirth rate (as above): http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/women/story/0,,2276237,00.html

Baby World. Hannah Hulme Hunter: http://www.babyworld.co.uk/aboutus/experts/midwife.asp

Baby World. Breastfeeding Counsellor, Ali White: http://www.babyworld.co.uk/aboutus/experts/ali_white_breastfeeding.asp

Daily Telegraph. Childbirth preparation classes: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/health/2008/04/29/hclasses129.xml

BBC Web News. Cord blood collection: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7371801.stm

Community Newswire: Preparing for Parenthood: http://www.communitynewswire.press.net/article.jsp?id=4541794

MIDIRS: NCT response to cord blood collection: < http://www.midirs.org/midirs/midweb1.nsf/Z45/294131EBB5B555318025743B00338A66

Worcester News. Home birth: http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/display.var.2235079.0.0.php

The Argus (Brighton & Hove). Breastfeeding in public: http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/letters/argusletters/display.var.2240415.0.a_mothers_right_to_breastfeed_in_public.php

icCannock.co.uk. Premature births:
http://iccannock.icnetwork.co.uk/news/tm_headline=campaign-backing-on-premature-births%26method=full%26objectid=20848337%26siteid=75673-name_page.html

Midirs. Preparing for Parenthood scheme:
http://www.midirs.org/midirs/midweb1.nsf/Z45/2A3981ED2EFC3A1C8025743C00302C0C

Midirs. Breastfeeding Awareness Week: http://www.midirs.org/midirs/midweb1.nsf/Z45/8319FC269061A6D08025743C00575743

Sunday Times. Mothers little helpers: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/beauty/article3671911.ece

The Mail on Sunday. Breast milk boosts IQ: http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=564172&in_page_id=1774

Date: April 2008
NCT National Press Release

Breastfeed with pride says NCT

As National Breastfeeding Awareness Week approaches (11-17 May) the NCT is marking the Week by encouraging NCT branches nationwide to host events and activities in their local area.
Local branches will be calling on shops, cafes and leisure facilities to do everything they can to promote the fact that local breastfeeding mothers will be made welcome.

The charity wants to encourage more mothers to give breastfeeding a go and engage the support of their family and friends – this will enable mothers to feel confident about breastfeeding for as long as they want to and give their baby the healthiest possible start in life.

Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive of the NCT said;
“We are proud our branches are supporting National Breastfeeding Awareness Week. Research shows that the benefits of breastfeeding start right from day one, so every day of breastfeeding is a reason to feel proud. This is especially important for the nine out of 10 women who stop breastfeeding before they want to. We want the families and friends of women who breastfeed to recognise the support they give can also make a real difference to a mother’s confidence in breastfeeding and make a positive difference to babies’ health.”

Trained NCT breastfeeding counsellors are locally available seven days a week to answer questions and provide support around baby feeding. For further information call the NCT Breastfeeding Line on 0870 444 8708 Mon-Sun between 8am and 10pm.

In addition to the helpline, the NCT runs breastfeeding courses for parents who want to learn about baby feeding and related matters. A trained NCT breastfeeding counsellor helps parents and enables them to be in a better position to be able to breastfeed it they want to. Call NCT Enquiries for more details on 0870 444 8707.

The charity is also lending its support to the National Breastfeeding Conference for health professionals on 12th May. For more information visit www.breastfeeding2008.co.uk;

Ends

Notes to Editors:
· The NCT has books and booklets relating to breastfeeding which can be ordered from NCT Sales 0870 112 1120 or visit www.nctsales.co.uk Breastfeeding - A Good Start-Breastfeeding: how to express and store your milk. Breastfeeding for Beginners.
· The National Breastfeeding Conference takes place 12th May 2008 at Church House Conference Centre, London. The RCM is hosting the joint conference by the Department of Health, RCN, NCT, Communtiy Practitioners’ and Health Visitors’ Association and others. The Conference will showcase recent national initiatives and has professional accreditation for health professionals. For more information visit www.breastfeeding2008.co.uk
· NCT is a proud member of the Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition. www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk. The Breastfeeding Manifesto outlines seven key objectives which we are campaigning to have implemented into UK policy and legislation. It will ensure that mothers are supported so that they are able to breastfeed. The Manifesto has a wide range of Coalition members from Royal Colleges to environmental organisations and highlights the wide benefits breastfeeding can have on society. For more information and to sign up as a supporter, please visit www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk

BUMPS, BABIES AND BOSSES

The NCT, the UK’s leading parenthood charity is launching a brand new ‘Preparing for Parenthood’ scheme to enable companies and organisations to demonstrate a positive approach to pregnancy.

As part of the scheme, the NCT has developed a range of ‘Preparing for Parenthood’ packs that employers can purchase to give to staff as part of their maternity benefits policy. For the first time ever, employers will now be able to provide expectant employees with information and support on pregnancy and birth.

Studies have shown that employers with the best maternity policies enjoy a return-to-work ratio of over 90 per cent¹,². Becoming a parent can also be stressful, so support from employers can make a real difference in ensuring that parents continue to contribute positively to the organisation.

The ‘Preparing for Parenthood’ packs contain a range of NCT services with three different formats and prices on offer including antenatal classes, full membership or an NCT Information pack with books, magazines, DVDs, leaflets and other essential information on birth and parenthood.

Companies can choose from three different options (minimum order of ten packs):-

· NCT Information pack with books, leaflets DVDs - cost £45
· NCT Information pack with a year’s NCT membership - cost £85
· NCT Information pack with NCT membership and NCT antenatal classes - cost £300

Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive, NCT, said;

“We are extremely pleased to be launching our new Preparing for Parenthood scheme. Our NCT packages will enable employers to show they support their employees through a life-changing experience of becoming a parent. Positive attitudes to parenthood benefit employers and employees alike, through skills retention, improved morale and a more productive workplace.”

Pilots

The NCT charity has piloted the programme with companies Jaguar Land Rover and Ford Europe. Jaguar Land Rover was recently voted first in a survey of corporate maternity policies carried out by the Guardian newspaper. (July 2007)

Jaguar Land Rover is offering staff the NCT Information pack with NCT membership as part of its maternity policy.

Rob Lummis, Group Employees Relations Director, Jaguar Land Rover, said; “The NCT Packs are an important element of our maternity policy and one example of the many family friendly policies we provide to our employers at Jaguar Land Rover. The packs provide our expectant employees with key information that is greatly valued by our parents-to-be.”

Ford Europe is offering staff the NCT Information pack as part of its maternity policy.

Jane Tottingham, Diversity Manager, Ford Europe, said; “The provision of NCT packs is an important element of our total maternity package for employees. The packs provide a single, easy to access source of key information for parents-to-be and are greatly valued by our employees.”

To discuss NCT Preparing for Parenthood packs, or to order a brochure on a range of services, please contact the NCT partnership team at commercial@nct.org.uk

ENDS

References
¹ International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
² EOC Discrimination in Pregnancy Report

Uttoxeter Advertiser. Success brings extra day for new nursery: http://www.uttoxeteradvertiser.co.uk/uttoxeteradvertiser-news/displayarticle.asp?id=307458

Daily Telegraph. fathers present at labour: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/14/ndads114.xml

Guardian. Holidays at other people’s homes: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/apr/19/consumeraffairs

BBC News website. Breastfeeding: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7355094.stm

PR Week. Creating Confidence PR campaign:  http://www.prweek.com/uk/sectors/media/article/801860/nct-push-antenatal-classes/

Daily Telegraph. Belinda Phipps interview: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/10/cmjprof110.xml

NCT Press Coverage:

Daily Mail. Heila Kitzinger, who was made an MBE for her campaign work with the National Childbirth Trust….
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=556368&in_page_id=1879

Thinkbaby.co.uk. Home birth:
http://www.thinkbaby.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=1655&v=1

Get Bracknell.co.uk. Petition to stop closure of local maternity unit:
http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/news/s/2025095_pressure_grows_to_save_hospital_maternity_unit

South Yorkshire Times. Breastfeeding advice for mums: http://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.uk/news/Bosom-buddies-offers-breast-feeding.3941224.jp

Petersfield Today. Birth centre reborn following campaign: http://www.petersfieldpost.co.uk/news/Birth-centre-reborn-following-campaign.3935492.jp

Printwear and Promotion. “used by organisations promoting breast feeding…” http://www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/1637/About_a_baby.html

hc2d. Risks of home births: http://www.hc2d.co.uk/content.php?contentId=6181

The Times. Do baby groups create friends for life – or just for maternity leave? http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article3652275.ece

Babyworld.co.uk
http://www.babyworld.co.uk/news/Mar08/20.03.08_mat_units.asp

Daily Mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=540248&in_page_id=1770

4RFV
http://www.4rfv.co.uk/nationalnews.asp?id=73278

Guardian.co.uk
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/mar/20/nhs.health1?gusrc=rss&feed=politics

Telegraph.co.uk
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/20/nbaby220.xml

BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7304811.stm

Mirror.co.uk
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/03/21/birth-units-too-full-to-take-mums-89520-20358070/

Daily Express

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/38734/Maternity-hospitals-turn-away-women-in-labour

Ask a Mum
http://www.askamum.co.uk/News/News-Search-Results/General/Maternity-units-closing-the-door-to-mums-/

MIDIRS NCT Statement on NICE Guidelines:
http://www.midirs.org/midirs/midweb1.nsf/Z45/C38CC8D652AEFB6580257418003A9906

Daily Mail. Alcohol in pregnancy:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=545474&in_page_id=1774&ct=5

Mirror.co.uk Alcohol in pregnancy:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/yourlife/2008/03/27/is-booze-a-danger-to-unborn-babies-can-someone-please-decide-89520-20364507/

Telegraph. Alcohol during pregnancy:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/26/nalcohol126.xml

Bounty News. 25th March 2008. Increase in home births:
http://www.bounty.com/Awareness-of-home-births-increasing-in-UK.news/18521221

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/women-are-misled-into-thinking-that-childbirth-can-be-painfree-795721.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7292565.stm

“http://www.practicalparenting.co.uk/news/Pregnant_women_unprepared_for_labour_study_finds_article_176961.html”>