This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30083090
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Early results in breastfeeding vouchers trial | Early results in breastfeeding vouchers trial |
(35 minutes later) | |
Initial results of a controversial scheme offering shopping vouchers to persuade mothers to breastfeed have shown promise, researchers say. | Initial results of a controversial scheme offering shopping vouchers to persuade mothers to breastfeed have shown promise, researchers say. |
Mothers in three areas of Derbyshire and South Yorkshire where breastfeeding rates were low - between 21% and 29% - were offered vouchers of up to £200. | Mothers in three areas of Derbyshire and South Yorkshire where breastfeeding rates were low - between 21% and 29% - were offered vouchers of up to £200. |
Of the 108 eligible for the trial scheme, 37 (34%) earned vouchers for breastfeeding at six-to-eight weeks. | Of the 108 eligible for the trial scheme, 37 (34%) earned vouchers for breastfeeding at six-to-eight weeks. |
Critics, including leading doctors, say the scheme amounts to "bribery". | Critics, including leading doctors, say the scheme amounts to "bribery". |
There will now be a much bigger trial involving 4,000 women. | There will now be a much bigger trial involving 4,000 women. |
Of the mothers eligible for the scheme, 58 signed up. | |
The vouchers are given at five different time-points. And results for the three- and six-month stages are still being collected. | The vouchers are given at five different time-points. And results for the three- and six-month stages are still being collected. |
The results of Nourishing Start for Health (Nosh) scheme are being presented at a public health science conference organised by the Lancet. | The results of Nourishing Start for Health (Nosh) scheme are being presented at a public health science conference organised by the Lancet. |
'Unbelievable confidence' | 'Unbelievable confidence' |
Vanessa Purdy, 31, who is still breastfeeding her eight-month-old, James, said: "The vouchers lure you into the scheme and breastfeeding. But the confidence you gain, and the friends you make through the scheme, is unbelievable. | Vanessa Purdy, 31, who is still breastfeeding her eight-month-old, James, said: "The vouchers lure you into the scheme and breastfeeding. But the confidence you gain, and the friends you make through the scheme, is unbelievable. |
"It's that support network, not the money, that spurs you on to continue. | "It's that support network, not the money, that spurs you on to continue. |
"It broke down the barriers and got everyone talking about the vouchers. | "It broke down the barriers and got everyone talking about the vouchers. |
"It made breastfeeding feel normal and natural to me. | "It made breastfeeding feel normal and natural to me. |
"And the money was useful for daily shopping and a few treats. I even tried tuna steak for the first time." | "And the money was useful for daily shopping and a few treats. I even tried tuna steak for the first time." |
Across England, 51% of women are breastfeeding by the six-to-eight week stage. The equivalent figure in Scotland is 38%. | Across England, 51% of women are breastfeeding by the six-to-eight week stage. The equivalent figure in Scotland is 38%. |
Rates are much lower in poorer areas - sometimes reaching just 12%. | Rates are much lower in poorer areas - sometimes reaching just 12%. |
Official health guidelines recommend that babies are breastfed up to six months, to help protect infants from infections. | Official health guidelines recommend that babies are breastfed up to six months, to help protect infants from infections. |
And some research has linked breastfeeding to a lower risk for mothers from breast and ovarian cancers. | And some research has linked breastfeeding to a lower risk for mothers from breast and ovarian cancers. |
But rates in the UK remain low compared with other countries. Just 1% of babies here is exclusively breastfed at six months. | But rates in the UK remain low compared with other countries. Just 1% of babies here is exclusively breastfed at six months. |
'Bribe' | 'Bribe' |
Dr Clare Relton, from Sheffield University's School of Health And Related Research public health section, is running the scheme, part of a four-year research project. | Dr Clare Relton, from Sheffield University's School of Health And Related Research public health section, is running the scheme, part of a four-year research project. |
She said: "The UK has one of the worst breastfeeding rates in the world - yet it gives better health outcomes to mums and babies, and saves the NHS money. | She said: "The UK has one of the worst breastfeeding rates in the world - yet it gives better health outcomes to mums and babies, and saves the NHS money. |
"During the last year, our small-scale tests have shown that midwives and health visitors were happy to tell mums about the scheme. | "During the last year, our small-scale tests have shown that midwives and health visitors were happy to tell mums about the scheme. |
"We think this idea has the potential to increase breastfeeding rates in the UK, but we don't have enough information yet. | "We think this idea has the potential to increase breastfeeding rates in the UK, but we don't have enough information yet. |
"So we are conducting a large-scale trial to help us find out how acceptable and effective the scheme is - and whether it would a good use of public money in the future." | "So we are conducting a large-scale trial to help us find out how acceptable and effective the scheme is - and whether it would a good use of public money in the future." |
But Dr Colin Michie, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "You're asking for a payback from some mums who can't necessarily give it. | But Dr Colin Michie, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "You're asking for a payback from some mums who can't necessarily give it. |
"Not all mothers can breastfeed for a range of reasons - so it's just not fair. | "Not all mothers can breastfeed for a range of reasons - so it's just not fair. |
"It is essentially a bribe if you're offering money for breastfeeding. | "It is essentially a bribe if you're offering money for breastfeeding. |
"This pilot scheme has been a success - but it would be nice if we could incentivise mums to breastfeed without paying them." | "This pilot scheme has been a success - but it would be nice if we could incentivise mums to breastfeed without paying them." |
Previous version
1
Next version