UK government supports “From Bump to Breastfeeding” DVD

Expectant mums across the UK will have access to a new breastfeeding resource thanks to a collaboration between the Department of Health and child health charity Best Beginnings.

The From Bump to Breastfeeding – following real mothers’ stories to find out how DVD gives positive and practical information to encourage mums to breastfeed and help increase breastfeeding rates across the UK.

Recent statistics (2005) show that, while over three-quarters of mothers started breastfeeding their new-born baby, a third had stopped within six weeks. Those numbers also drop significantly when looking at the younger age group – for mums under 20, just half were breastfeeding their baby.

Produced by Jacqueline Smith, the 35-minute film features nine women who chart their expectations and concerns as they prepare for motherhood.

The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to the age of six months, with continued breastfeeding, alongside other food and drink after six months. That’s because breast milk gives babies all the nutrients they need for the first six months of life and helps protect them from infection and diseases, such as gastrointestinal infections, ear infections, urine infections, eczema and obesity in later childhood.

Dawn Primarolo, Public Health Minister, said, “The DVD will appeal to all women who are having a baby as it follows ordinary women on their breastfeeding journey and addresses hopes and concerns that are relevant to all. The DVD demonstrates breastfeeding as the normal and natural way to feed a baby and will support mums to continue to breastfeed and help them give their baby the best start in life.”

Best Beginnings founder & CEO Alison Baum said, “Only with accurate information and practical support can there be real choice for families about how to feed their babies. The DVD will enable more mothers across the UK to have the information and reach out for support so they can enjoy breastfeeding their babies for as long as they wish.”

More information is available at the Best Beginnings web site.

UK Government to crack down on underage drinking, targeting parents, but it’s not that easy

The British Government has announced plans to tackle the increasing problem of underage drinking, and is planning to prosecute parents who allow their children to drink in public.

If proposals became law, anyone under the age of 18 “regularly” found with alcohol on their possession could face getting an ASBO (Anti-Social Behaviour Order).

Parents who are unable to change their ways could either be prosecuted, or sent on parenting courses. However, the problem isn’t that simple, say a number of parents as well as opposition ministers.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said that, “parents must play their role. I want to see greater use of parenting orders and parenting contracts and anti-social behaviour orders when young people are caught persistently drinking in public. If parents and children need to meet a trained worker to get them back on the right track then so be it.”

I know that the police will already move on groups of teenagers who are, or have the potential, to cause a nuisance, particularly as a result of alcohol.

Of course parenting plays a role in a child’s upbringing, but there are so many other factors that influence someone’s attitude to and consumption of alcohol – the increasing number of “alcopops” and other “soft” alcoholic drinks, peer pressure from friends, portrayal of alcohol in the media and popular TV, and the increasingly ingrained drinking culture are key issues.

Legislation may look good on paper, and may prove to be somewhat effective, but the real issues run deep in society, and unfortunately even good parenting doesn’t always protect children.

The Government also plans to draw up guidelines for how much alcohol it is safe for children to consume under supervision of their parents at home.

(Via BBC News)

Parents should seek compensation over child benefit data loss, online portal claims

After the recent fiasco regarding the loss of two CDs containing the personal details of twenty-five million people either claiming or receiving child benefits, a leading UK parents’ portal has recommended that concerned parents seek compensation from the British Government, for breach of the 1998 Data Protection Act.

“The Data Protection Act clearly states that a data controller must protect private individuals’ data from falling into the wrong hands,” said Steve Masters, editor of UK Parents Lounge.

More important is the advice already officially given to all parents:

1. Check the bank account into which child benefit is paid. Any transaction which seems unusual should be reported. There’s little a fraudster could do to the actual bank account with just its account number and sort code.

2. Check mail, as fraudsters could attempt to set up new credit agreements (for example, for a mobile phone or credit card) in your name.

3. Be vigilant with letters or phone calls claiming to come from your bank.

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UK Conservative party say marriage is good for society

Last year, the British Cnservative party said that the church should promote marriage, and now former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith is heading up the social justice policy group and speaking out on marriage and society.

There’s a link between families breaking down and gun crime, he says
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