PUBLIC Health England (PHE) has launched a ‘Start4Life Breastfeeding Friend’ (BFF) – an interactive chatbot to help new Redditch mums through their first weeks of breastfeeding.
The chatbot, which can be accessed through Facebook messenger, works as a live chat tool via one-to-one messaging and push notifications. The BFF gives mums 24/7 access to expert NHS-trusted advice in a friendly way; responding to questions, alleviating concerns, and helping to dispel any breastfeeding myths.
In England, almost three quarters of mothers start breastfeeding when their child is born, but this drops to less than half at six to eight weeks, with around half of new mums in the region not continuing to breastfeed eight weeks after birth.
Breastfeeding boosts a baby’s ability to fight illness and infection. Babies who are not breastfed are more likely to get diarrhoea and respiratory infections.
It also lowers a mother’s risk of ovarian and breast cancer, and burns around 500 calories a day.
For more information, advice and tips on breastfeeding visit www.nhs.uk/start4life/ and to access the Breastfeeding BFF, open Facebook Messenger and search Start4Life BreastFeeding Friend or visit m.me/Start4LifeBreastFeedingFriend to get started.
