Jeremy this week pledged to support initiatives to improve the numbers of babies breastfed in the local area and to support measures to increase the duration of breastfeeding to meet government guidelines.

Attending the National breastfeeding week parliamentary celebrations hosted by the Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition , Mr Lefroy signed up as one of the over 190 Members of Parliament who have pledged their support to the breastfeeding Manifesto.

The Breastfeeding Manifesto sets out the 7 challenges and solutions to ensure that every child in the UK gets an equal chance to be as healthy as possible. The Department of Health and World Health Organisation recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months of life. The Manifesto outlines ways in which that can be achieved, including ensuring that all UK health services achieve UNICEF’s baby friendly status and that mothers are supported to breastfeed on return to work and in public places.

The Manifesto is supported by over 40 organisations including 5 royal medical colleges, trade unions and a range of family and child health support organisations and charities established to prevent and cure specific conditions which breastfeeding can prevent or ease in mothers and babies. These organisations are members of the Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition.

Speaking at the event, BMC spokesperson Anne Fox said: “It is essential that we have the support of MPs to ensure that every opportunity is taken in Parliament to support initiatives to improve breastfeeding rates in the UK. Investing in children right at the very start can save the NHS in the longer term and allows children an equal chance to be healthy. We are delighted that Jeremy Lefroy MP has pledged his support by becoming a Breastfeeding Manifesto supporting MP today”.

Jeremy said “I’m happy to pledge my support for children’s health to be off to the right start at the very beginning by signing the Breastfeeding Manifesto today. My predecessor, David Kidney, played a major role in supporting breastfeeding and I wish to continue that work.

“As a Breastfeeding Manifesto supporter I am part of a movement with health services staff, community and voluntary organisations and local mothers and fathers. I call on my constituents to pledge their support and get involved, adding their names to those of almost 10,000 others who are individual supporters of the Manifesto at www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk “