When I became a parent, I quickly learned that being well-informed is crucial. My baby has suffered for months with Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) and other yet undetected allergies. Despite our concerns and symptoms observed that were carefully tracked and communicated, I was repeatedly told by doctors that this situation was impossible or uncommon. With the paediatrician advising that all he could do was prescribe formula. This experience has been disheartening, isolating, and deeply frustrating. It is no surprise that families who deal with children with allergies have a higher rate of postnatal depression. It’s not just our family facing these challenges; many other mothers have similar stories. These aren’t isolated incidents but a worrying gap in the standard care that affects countless families trying to provide the best for their infants. Our babies should not be in pain, our babies should not have blood or mucous in their stool being brandished as ‘normal’, our babies should not have to deal with excruciating eczema, our babies should not have to deal with vomiting up every feed and being prescribed medications that cause further issues. 

Therefore, it is imperative that we reform the way General Practitioners (GPs) and paediatricians approach breastfeeding advice, particularly concerning allergies such as CMPA. Many medical professionals might not be fully updated on or aware of the latest advice, which can lead to delays in diagnosis, inappropriate advice, or all too often, parents being dismissed rather than being heard and supported. It should not be a case of winning the geographical lottery to be supported. If a mother wants to breastfeed their child, they should be supported, not discouraged. If a mother wants to formula feed their child, they should not have to put their baby through pain by trialling formula after formula. 

The latest data indicates that CMPA affects up to 3% of infants worldwide, and other allergies are on the rise at alarming rates. There’s an urgent need to bridge the gap between current medical practices and the constantly evolving field of allergy and breastfeeding knowledge. This can transform how we care for our children.

We urge the NHS and relevant health bodies to require GPs and paediatricians to work in close coordination with dieticians and breastfeeding specialists. Ensuring that these professionals receive thorough, ongoing training in up-to-date breastfeeding and allergy information will make a significant difference. Introducing standard care procedures that include collaboration between health professionals will improve outcomes for infants and peace of mind for parents.

Our children deserve the best possible start in life, and ensuring that healthcare providers are fully equipped with the necessary knowledge is key to achieving this. Please support this petition to make informed and holistic care a reality for all families. Sign this petition to advocate for standardized, up-to-date breastfeeding and allergy advice in GP and paediatric care.