As a mother who struggled with breastfeeding, I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the NHS Fife breastfeeding support team, without which, my breastfeeding journey would have ended prematurely. Three years on, I still find myself reaching out to this incredible team for guidance. I am far from alone in this. New mothers across Fife, UK, regularly rely on this service to help them navigate the early difficulties of breastfeeding, fostering bonds with their infants and contributing to their well-being. Alarmingly, our local breastfeeding support team may face redeployment, and key services may cease, stripping new mothers of this invaluable resource.

Unfortunately, our quandary here in Fife falls against a dismal national backdrop. According to UNICEF's baby-friendly initiative, the UK ranks amongst the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world, underscoring the urgent need to bolster, not diminish, our breastfeeding support infrastructure. Redeploying our local support team and eliminating crucial services not only threatens the health of our children but also, it contributes to this unfortunate statistic.

Here in Fife, our breastfeeding community has a powerful, passionate advocate in the NHS Fife breastfeeding support team. Today, we must become advocates for them. By signing this petition, we urge our local health authorities to reconsider redeployment plans and to ensure any changes consider the critical needs of our community's breastfeeding mothers and their children. Do your part in helping mothers succeed in their breastfeeding journeys and keep our breastfeeding support team intact.