World Breastfeeding Week: 1-7 August

#WorldBreastfeedingWeek officially kicks off tomorrow, each year celebrated around the world from 1-7 August.
The 2023 theme, ‘Enabling breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents’, highlights the fact that workplace challenges remain the most common reason worldwide for women to never breastfeed or to stop breastfeeding earlier than recommended.
What happens in your baby’s first years has a big effect on how healthy he or she will be in the future. Breast milk gives your baby all the nutrients he or she needs for around the first six months of life. Your milk helps to protect your baby from infections and other diseases, and as a mum, it also reduces your chances of getting some illnesses later in life.
Breastfeeding also helps you and your baby to get closer – physically and emotionally. So while you’re feeding your baby, the bond between you grows stronger. If you or someone you know has questions about breastfeeding, there’s lots of help available.
Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Health Visiting team offers a range of support, including advice on positioning, attachment, hand expressing and assisting you and your family to continue to breastfeed for as long as planned. If problems occur, your health visitor can refer you to our Specialist Breast Feeding team. Find out more about the team here: https://bit.ly/3q3eoOh
Many mums worry that their babies are not getting enough milk. There are some signs that breastfeeding is going well, which can help to reassure parents. You can also discuss any worries with your health visiting team, who can offer support at home.

Watch this video to find out more about the support available locally

For more information, head to nhs.uk/start4life/baby/breastfeeding or call the National Breastfeeding Helpline for support on 0300 100 0212 – lines are open 9.30am to 9.30pm every day.
World AIDS Day – 1st December

World AIDS Day – 1st December

Friday 1 December is #WorldAIDSDay – a global campaign by the National AIDS Trust, which has been recognised on 1st December every year since 1988. Its aim is to support those living with HIV, remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illness, secure the rights of people living with the condition and continue the fight to end the stigma surrounding HIV.

Children’s flu – it’s not too late to vaccinate!

Children’s flu – it’s not too late to vaccinate!

With Flu season now well underway, our School Aged Immunisation Team would like to take this opportunity to remind parents of the importance of protecting their children against the virus by ensuring they have their flu vaccination.

Trust presented with Defence ERS Gold Award

Trust presented with Defence ERS Gold Award

Representatives from Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust were extremely proud and honoured this morning to receive the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award from the Wessex Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (WRFCA), in recognition of its commitment and support for defence personnel.

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