Infant Feeding Strategy
New Strategy Launched to Improve Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Support Across Cheshire and Merseyside
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) is proud to launch a new Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Strategy, developed in partnership with a wide range of partners and groups across the region.
Our shared vision is clear: to promote, protect and support optimum nutrition for infants, reduce poor health outcomes and inequalities, and ensure parents and infants are supported to breastfeed for as long as they want to.
This new strategy outlines our commitment to improving breastfeeding rates across Cheshire and Merseyside - particularly the duration of exclusive breastfeeding to six months which has the potential to significantly enhance the health and wellbeing of both mothers and babies. In doing so, we aim to reduce health inequalities and the long-term demand on health and care services.
Co-produced with partners and shaped by the lived experiences of parents, carers, health professionals and community organisations, the strategy is built around five key priorities:
- Seamless support
- Information and education
- Equality and accessibility
- Collaboration and workforce
- Implementation and improvement
These priorities will guide how we improve support for families at every stage—from pregnancy through to early infancy and beyond. Our approach recognises that all parents and carers need timely, consistent and culturally competent support to feed and care for their infants in ways that are right for them.
The strategy sets out a number of aims, including:
- Supporting families in making informed feeding choices
- Empowering mothers with confidence and knowledge
- Increasing breastfeeding initiation and continuation
- Improving access to infant feeding support and resources
- Embedding breastfeeding as a social norm across our communities
Catherine McClennan, Programme Director for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Women’s Health & Maternity Programme / LMNS Senior Responsible Officer said: “We are incredibly proud to launch this strategy, which reflects the voices of families and professionals across Cheshire and Merseyside.
“By working together, we can create a culture where breastfeeding is supported, infant feeding is inclusive, and every family has access to the help they need. This is about more than just nutrition — it’s about nurturing healthy relationships, reducing inequalities, and giving every child the best start in life.”
Through this work, we seek to create environments that enable all mothers to meet their infant feeding goals, while respecting all family’s choices and circumstances. We are particularly focused on ensuring equitable access to support, recognising the diversity of needs and lived experiences across our region.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed their time, insights and experiences to help shape this strategy. Details of organisations involved are included within the strategy document.
Together, we are committed to creating a coordinated, inclusive system of care that empowers parents, nurtures strong bonds between families and infants, and lays the foundation for healthier lives across Cheshire and Merseyside.
To view a copy of the Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Strategy click here