Guiding Principles

The Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition looks forward to a society where:

• Women feel enabled to initiate and continue breastfeeding for as long as they wish
• Parents are supported to make informed choices about feeding their babies
• Everyone is aware of the significant benefits associated with breastfeeding

Aims

The Breastfeeding Manifesto was produced in 2006 by over twenty UK organisations working to improve awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding and its role in reducing health inequalities.

The aim of the Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition is to achieve widespread cross-party support for the Breastfeeding Manifesto, and to ensure that its principles are reflected in government policy and legislation in the UK.

Specifically, the Coalition’s aim is to ensure that the Manifesto is adopted by all of the UK’s main political parties by the time of the next General Election.

	Amicus the Union Amicus is the largest manufacturing union in the UK. It is dedicated to serving the needs and best interests of all workers in both the public and private sectors by helping to improve their standard of living and quality of life. Address: 35 King Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8JG Tele: +44 0845 850 4242   Email Address: Website: http://www.amicustheunion.org
	Association of Breastfeeding Mothers ABM is a voluntary organisation founded in 1979 by a group of mothers experienced in breasfeeding councelling. ABM aims to promote the physical and psychological health of mothers and children through education in the techniques of breastfeeding. It also aims to advance the education of the public by informing them of the immediate and long term health benefits of breastfeeding. Address: ABM, PO Box 207, BRIDGWATER, Somerset, TA6 7YT Tele: 0870 401 7711   Email Address: info@abm.me.uk Website: http://www.abm.me.uk
	Baby Feeding Law Group The Baby Feeding Law Group works to bring UK baby food laws into line with international regulations by complying with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, which is an indispensable tool used to protect and promote breastfeeding. Address: 23 St Andrew's Street, Cambridge, CB2 3AX Tele: +44 (0)1223 464420   Fax: +44(0)1223464420 Email Address: bflg@babymilk.action.org Website: http://www.babyfeedinglawgroup.org.uk
	Baby Milk Action Baby Milk Action is a non-profit organisation which aims to save lives and to end the avoidable suffering caused by inappropriate infant feeding. Baby Milk Action works within a global network to strengthen independent, transparent and effective controls on the marketing of the baby feeding industry. Address: 34 Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1QY, United Kingdon Tele: +44 1123 464 420   Email Address: Website: http://www.babymilkaction.org
	Best Beginnings Best Beginnings is committed to breaking down inequalties in the first year of life. Best Beginnings first phase project is to work to increase breastfeeding rates in the UK. It was Best Beginnings that formed the Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition and is driving the Coalition work forward. Address: Tele: 0208 830 5576   Email Address: alison@bestbeginnings.info Website: www.bestbeginnings.info
	Biological Nurturing Biological Nurturing developed from Dr. Suzanne Colson's observations of mothers who enjoy breastfeeding as a new approach towards counteracting low breastfeeding rates and bad press associated with breastfeeding through the use of a 'back to the future' approach. The scientific results from Dr.Colson's research are expected to turn many breastfeeding assumptions on their head by offering new ways of looking at and approaching breastfeeding. Address: Tele:    Email Address: sdc8@canterbury.ac.uk Website: http://www.biologicalnurturing.com
	Birthlight The Birthlight Trust is an educational charity that promotes an integrated, holistic approach to pregnancy, birth and babyhood. Its main objective is to enhance well being and enjoyment for parents and their babies before and after birth. The application of simple yoga-based body movements, breathing techniques and relaxation, both on land and in water, has proved beneficial and is reaching increasing numbers of parents and professional carers, educators and instructors. Address: Birthlight, PO Box 148, Cambridge, CB4 2GB Tele: (+44) 01223 362288   Fax: (+44) 01223 362501 Email Address: enquiries@birthlight.com Website: www.birthlight.com
	BLISS BLISS was established 27 years ago by a group of concerned parents and has since developed into the leading national charity working in the field of caring for premature babies. Whilst advances in technology have resulted in more babies surviving there are chronic shortages of specialist nurses to provide the care. Some mothers and babies are transported hundreds of miles just to find a cot in a neonatal unit with the right facilities. BLISS therefore campaigns for improvements in neonatal care and works to support parents and families through a wide range of support and information services. Address: 2nd & 3rd Floors, 9 Holyrood Street, London Bridge, London SE1 2EL Tele: +44 (0)20 7378 1122   Fax: +44 (0)20 7403 0673 Email Address: information@bliss.org.uk Website: http://www.bliss.org.uk
	Bosom Buddies Gateshead 'Bosom Buddies' are local women who have received training by professionals and La Leche League of Great Britain, in order to support other mothers who are breastfeeding. Bosom Buddies run groups throughout Gateshead for pregnant women and breastfeeding mums. Breastpumps and nursing bras are for sale at reduced rates at these groups. We also have a phoneline for breastfeeding support and information. Address: Deckham Children's Centre, NE9 5PA Tele: 0191 433 6300   Email Address: Website: http://www.bosombuddiesgateshead.org.uk
	Breastfeeding Network The BFN is a recognised Scottish charity which aims to provide a support network and act as an information source for breasteeding women and others. BFN aims to promote a greater understanding of breasfeeding by providing information on getting started and by covering the health considerations of breastfeeding. Address: The Breastfeeding Network, PO BOX 11126, Paisley, PA2 8YB Tele: 0870 900 8787   Email Address: email@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk Website: http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
	Childfriendly Places Our Child Friendly Directory provides a comprehensive list of places in the UK that welcome children and families Address: 29 McIntyre Road, Worcester, WR2 5LG Tele:    Email Address: info@childfriendlyplaces.co.uk Website: www.childfriendlyplaces.co.uk
	CPHVA The Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association is the UK's leading professional organisation for health visitors, school nurses and community nurses working in primary care. The Amicus/CPHVA is a section of the Amicus trade union which has 100,000 members working in the health sector. Address: Wrexham Local Health Board, Ty'R Gloch,Toptalwrn,Denby Lane ,Coedpoeth Tele: 01978 346 542   Email Address: angela.roberts@wrexhamlhb.nhs.uk Website: http://www.amicus-cphva.org
	Friends of the Earth inspiring solutions to environmental problems Address: 26-28 Underwood Street , London, NW1 7JQ Tele: 020 7490 1555   Email Address: Website: www.foe.co.uk
	Independent Midwives Association Address: 20 Westfield Road, Abbingdon, oxfordshire, OX14 4RF Tele: 0870 850 7539   Email Address: information@independentmidwives.org.uk Website: www.independentmidwives.org.uk
	La Leche League Great Britain La Leche League aims to help mothers to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother. Address: La Leche League Great Britain, PO Box 29, West Bridgford Nottingham NG2 7NP Tele: 0845 456 1855   Email Address: admin@laleche.org.uk Website: http://www.laleche.org.uk
	Lactation Consultants of Great Britain We are professionally qualified to support breastfeeding families, and are affiliated to the International Lactation Consultant Association. Full members of LCGB are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC); associate members support our aims. We work in a variety of NHS and community settings as Infant Feeding Specialists or Breastfeeding Co-ordinators, and in midwifery, health visiting, paediatrics and other healthcare roles, both clinical and educational. Some are voluntary breastfeeding counsellors/supporters, and a few work in private practice. We are active in education and politics to build a society in which breastfeeding is both encouraged and fully supported. Address: LCGB, P.O. Box 56, Virginia Water, GU25 4WB Tele:    Email Address: info@lcgb.org Website: http://www.lcgb.org/
	Little Angels Little Angels breastfeeding support is a community business that employs mothers from the local community to support breastfeeding mothers. We run 9 breastfeeding support groups, including a daily support group on the post natal wards at the maternity unit. ALL breastfeeding mothers within Blackburn with Darwen borough and Hyndburn are assigned a Little Angel to support them with breastfeeding. We also run a 24 hour telephone support line and a breastfeeding drop in centre in Darwen. We also deliver breastfeeding training to peer supporters, mothers and health professionals. Little Angels – Making Breastfeeding Fashionable. Address: Tele: 01254 772929   Email Address: info@littleangels.org.uk Website: www.littleangels.org.uk
	MIDIRS The Midwife Information and Resource Service is an educational charity that aims to be the leading international information resource relating to childbirth and infancy, disseminating information as widely as possible to assist in the improvement of maternity care. Address: MIDIRS, 9 Elmdale Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1SL United Kingdom Tele: 0800 581 009   Fax: 0117 925 1792 Email Address: digest@midirs.org Website: http://www.midirs.org
	National Childbirth Trust The National Childbirth Trust is the leading charity for pregnancy, birth and parenting in the UK. Every year we support thousands of people through this incredible life-changing experience, offering relevant information, reassurance and mutual support. As a charity, our funding comes from more than 68,000 members across the UK, fees and fundraising. Our strength comes from our volunteers, who work through our network of branches providing local services, training and evidence-based information for parents. Address: Alexandra House, Oldham Terrace, Acton, London, W3 6NH Tele: 0870 770 3236   Fax: 0870 770 3237 Email Address: enquiries@nct.org.uk Website: http://www.nct.org.uk/
	National Obesity Forum The NOF was established in May 2000 to raise awareness of the growing impact of obesity and overweight on our patients and our National Health Service. The NOF aims to create recognition of obesity as a serious medical problem and to provide education and training on obesity management, produce guidelines for obesity management within primary care and to convince Government and healthcare works to give obesity a high priority nationally and locally. Address: National Obesity Forum, PO BOX 6625 Nottingham, NG2 5PA United Kingdom Tele: 0115 8462109   Email Address: info@nationalobesityforum.org.uk Website: http://www.nationalobesityforum.org.uk
	Royal College of General Practitioners The Royal College of General Practitioners 14 Princes Gate Hyde Park London SW7 1PU Address: The Royal College of General Practitioners, 14 Princes Gate Hyde Park London SW7 1PU Tele: 0845 456 4041   Fax: +44 020 7225 3047 Email Address: info@rcgp.org.uk Website: http://www.rcgp.org.uk
	Royal College of Midwives The RCM is the only trade union and professional organisation run by midwives for midwives. It is the voice of midwifery, providing excellence in professional leadership, education, influence and representation for and on behalf of midwives. The Royal College of Midwives seeks to inform and influence the development of policy that affects both midwives and the women and children for whom they care. The RCM works with members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords as well as the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, the Northern Ireland Assembly (currently in suspension), the Greater London Authority, and the institutions of the European Union. Address: Royal College of Midwives, 15 Mansfield Street, London W1G 9NH Tele: +44 (0)20 7312 3535   Fax: +44(0)20 7312 3536 Email Address: info@rcm.org.uk Website: http://www.rcm.org.uk
	Royal College of Nursing With a membership of over a third of a million, the RCN is the largest professional association and union of nursing staff and students in the UK and is an influential voice for nursing at home and abroad. The RCN represents nurses and nursing, promotes excellence in practice and shapes health policy. interests on a wide range of issues by. The RCN campaigns on behalf of its members and the people they care for working closely with the Government, parliament, unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations, and is a leading player in the development of nursing policy and practice, and standards of care. Address: 20 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0RN Tele: 020 7647 3739   Fax: 020 7647 3431 Email Address: carolyn.basak@rcn.org.uk Website: www.rcn.org.uk
	Save the Children UK Save the Children fights for children in the UK and around the world who suffer from poverty, disease, injustice and violence. Save the children works to find lifelong answers to the problems children face. Save the Children lobbies internationally and nationally for policies and funding to solve the crisis in healthcare. Save the Children aims to tackle multiple causes of malnutrition ad aims to bring about reductions in child malnutrition. Address: 1 St. John's Lane, London EC1M 4AR Tele: +44 (0)20 7012 6400   Fax: +44(0)20 7012 6963 Email Address: supporter.care@savethechildren.org.uk Website: http://www.savethechildren.org.uk
	The Baby Café Charitable Trust The Baby Café Charitable Trust co-ordinates a network of branded drop-in centres which support breastfeeding mothers, because we believe that every breastfeeding mum deserves free, top quality help and support. A Baby Café drop-in centre is generally open once a week and set out with coffee tables, comfy sofas and play areas for accompanying toddlers. All pregnant or breastfeeding mums are welcome to drop in at any time during opening hours. No appointment is necessary and partners, supporters and health professionals are also welcome. Help is available on all aspects of breastfeeding and its impact on daily life - from starting to stopping and all the variations in between. Address: The Baby Café Charitable Trust, PO Box 640, Haywards Heath RH17 5WS Tele:    Email Address: admin@thebabycafe.org Website: admin@thebabycafe.org
	The British Dietetic Association The British Dietetic Association, established in 1936, is the professional association for dietitians. The association was established to: advance the science and practice of dietetics and associated subjects, promote training and education in the science and practice of dietetics and associated subjects and to regulate the relations between dietitians and their employer through the BDA Trade Union. Address: British Dietetic Association, 5th Floor, Charles House, 148/9 Great Charles Street Queensway, Birmingham B3 3HT Tele: 0121 200 8080   Fax: 0121 200 8081 Email Address: info@bda.uk.com Website: www.bda.uk.com
	The Food Commission Good food should be tasty, nutritious and safe to eat – and yet our food a major cause of preventable diseases such as obesity, cancer and strokes. The Food Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organisation which investigates these issues and campaigns via the Food Magazine for safer, healthier food in the UK. Good nutrition should start from birth, which is why it is so essential that breast feeding be encouraged and why The Food Commission strongly supports the Breastfeeding Manifesto. Address: 94 White Lion Street, London N1 9PF Tele: 020 7837 2250   Email Address: info@foodcomm.org.uk Website: www.foodcomm.org.uk
	The Mother and Infant Research Unit The Mother and Infant Research Unit is in the Department of Health Sciences in the University of York. It is a multidisciplinary research unit, and it's main aim is to contribute to the health and wellbeing of childbearing women, their babies and families. As well as conducting research in maternity care, MIRU works to inform policy and practice; supports evidence based practice and practice development; and works closely with practitioners and service users. It has a particular focus on ways of addressing inequalities in health. One of the main themes of its work is maternal and child nutrition. As part of that theme, a programme of work has been in pace for many years to examine infant feeding, including interventions to promote and support the initiation and duration of breastfeeding, and minimising the risks of artificial feeding. MIRU's work is and has been funded by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; the NHS Service Delivery and Organisation programme; the NHS Health Technology Assessment programme; ESRC; the Health Development Agency; the Department of Health, the Food Standards Agency, The Health Foundation, and local NHS Trusts. Address: Area 4, Seebohm Rowntree Building, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD Tele: 01904 321832   Fax: 01904 321820 Email Address: dohs-miru-info@york.ac.uk Website: www.york.ac.uk/healthsciences/miru
	The Royal College of General Practitioners The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is the academic organisation in the UK for general practitioners. Its aim is to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the ‘voice’ of general practitioners on education, training and standards issues. Address: The Royal College of General Practitioners, Tele: 0845 456 4041   Fax: (0)20 7225 3047 Email Address: info@rcgp.org.uk Website: http://www.rcgp.org.uk
	The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is one of the Medical Royal Colleges. They have a major role in postgraduate medical education and professional standards: setting syllabuses for postgraduate training in paediatrics, overseeing the training, running examinations, organising courses and conferences, issuing guidance and conducting research Address: 50 Hallam Street, London, W1W 6DE Tele: 020 7307 5600   Email Address: Website: www.rcpch.ac.uk
	The United Kingdom Association for Milk Banking The United Kingdom Association for Milk Banking is a registered charity established to promote human milk banking, provide a forum for the exchange of information, set standards and regularly review guidelines. The UKAMB logo, Every Drop Counts, reflects the organsiation's belief that appropriately screened and processed donor human milk has an important role in the nutrition and care of preterm and sick infants when the mother's own milk is insufficient or not available. Address: - Tele: 0208 383 3559   Fax: - Email Address: info@ukamb.org Website: www.ukamb.org
	UNICEF UK UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children. Address: UNICEF UK, Africa House, 64 - 78 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NB Tele: 020 7312 7697   Fax: 020 7312 7697 Email Address: ParliamentaryTeam@unicef.org.uk Website: www.unicef.org.uk
	UNISON UNISON is Britain's biggest trade union with more than 1.3 million members working in the public services – 1 million of them women. Women still earn less than men, face sex discrimination and harassment at work. Our members juggle work and home commitments, many have caring responsibilities and almost half work part-time. UNISON takes a lead on negotiating and campaigning on women's rights at work and in the community – including supporting mothers who wish to continue breastfeeding when they return to work after childbirth. Address: 1 Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9AJ Tele: 0845 355 0845   Email Address: women@unison.co.uk Website: www.unison.org.uk
	WOMB WOMB is a Programmatic Research Group based at Bournemouth University. This is a multi-disciplinary group which aims to promote the health and well-being of Women, Babies and their families by undertaking work to underpin clinical practice and inform policy. We undertake work across a wide methodological range as led by the research questions. We aim to work closely with service-users. Address: WOMB, c/o Prof. Jo Alexander, Bournemouth University, 17-19 Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 3LG Tele:    Email Address: Website: Website: www.bournemouth.ac.uk/ihcs/resgroupmi.html
	Women’s Environmental Network Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) is a unique, vital and innovative campaigning organisation, which represents women and campaigns on issues, which link women, environment and health. Formed in 1988, it is a registered charity and membership organisation that depends on its members, donations and limited grant support for survival. Central to WEN's approach is the belief that women have the right to information to enable them to make fair choices. We also believe a precautionary approach is healthiest for people and the planet. Address: Women's Environmental Network (WEN), PO Box 30626, London E1 1TZ Tele: 020 7481 9004   Fax: 020 7481 9144 Email Address: info@wen.org.uk Website: www.wen.org.uk