Resources List

A list with descriptions of all ... ]]>Fri, 04 May 2012 15:29:26 GMTNU-CAT clinical assessment tool

In collaboration with Coventry University and an expert working group, Best Beginnings is developing a new clinical assessment tool called NU-CAT (Neonatal Unit Clinical Assessment Tool). This tool will enable neonatal units to assess their staff’s knowledge of key aspects of family-centred care. The NU-CAT will deliver reports for individual staff and on a unit-wide basis. It will also provide specific information based on the type of healthcare professionals and number of years’ experience. This will show strengths and weaknesses that can be used as a basis for training and development.

For further details on how to access the NU-CAT for your staff, please email smallwonders@bestbeginnings.org.uk


]]>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:07:38 GMTIntensive change programme and evaluation

Best Beginnings is committed to establishing the efficacy of all that we do. At Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital, Kings Hospital and Liverpool Women’s NHS Trust we are undertaking an intensive programme to embed and evaluate the Small Wonders Change Programme. Two Band 7 research nurses are being employed to manage the roll-out of the programme. We have commissioned Coventry University to undertake a robust evaluation of the change programme.

In addition to this in-depth work, each neonatal unit can have its own Small Wonders Champion: we have a national network with 275 Champions to-date. ]]>Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:23:49 GMTOur schools toolkit is being developed. Please come back soon for more information.

Artificially-fed babies are at greater risk of:

• gastro-intestinal infection
• respiratory infections
• necrotising enterocolitis and late onset sepsis in preterm babies
• urinary tract infections
• ear infections
• allergic disease (eczema, asthma and wheezing)
• Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Obesity
• Childhood leukaemia
• SIDS

and breastfed babies may have better:

• neurological development
• cholesterol levels
• blood pressure

... ]]>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:19:01 GMTIt’s very distressing to have a baby born sick or prematurely and who needs special care in an incubator. This is so different from every parent’s dream of having a healthy baby with no medical problems. You may wonder, ‘why has this happened to us? Did I do something wrong?’ You may feel there’s nothing you can do when your baby is surrounded by tubes and technology and nurses. You may feel afraid to love your baby in case you lose hom or her.

In fact, premature and sick babies need their parents’ love and care every bit as much as other babies. The good news is that there are important things you can do to give your baby the best chance of growing strong and well. You can:

• give your baby lots of time snuggled against your bare skin
• give your baby breastmilk to drink, even if your baby is not big enough to breastfeed directly

Both drinking breastmilk and having lots of skin-to-skin c... ]]>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:19:03 GMTIt’s very distressing to be told when you’re pregnant that your baby has to be born prematurely (too early) for his own safety, and will have to spend time being looked after in an incubator until he is strong enough to go home. This is so different from every parent’s dream of having a healthy baby with no medical problems. Even though it’s not your fault, you may feel that you have let your baby down.

The good news is that once your baby is born, there are important things you can do to give her the best chance of growing strong and well. You can:

• give your baby lots of time snuggled against your bare skin
• give your baby breastmilk to drink, even if she is not big enough to breastfeed directly

Both drinking breastmilk and having lots of skin-to-skin contact make a real difference to how well a premature baby does.

To get an idea what it will be like once your baby is born pr... ]]>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:24:09 GMTHaving a sick or premature baby can be very upsetting and confusing, and some parents are too scared of losing their baby to allow themselves to love and care for him or her. Best Beginnings is developing a DVD called Small Wonders to help you through this difficult time.

The DVD will be split into 12 short films, each lasting no longing than 20 minutes and covering specific areas of help and support:

1. Introduction to Small Wonders and the neonatal unit
2. Birth and your baby’s transfer into a neonatal unit
3. The early hours and days in a neonatal unit
4. Expressing, breast milk and nutrition
5. Holding your baby
6. Your time in hospitalTue, 08 Nov 2011 11:40:33 GMTYour baby depends on you to keep him or her safe from harm.

    

   Please come back soon to read more about how to keep your baby safe.

   ]]>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:19:09 GMTBabies change and develop incredibly fast during their first two years – from helpless newborns to walking, talking toddlers with strong ideas of their own.

   Please come back soon for more information about how your baby develops.

   ]]>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:19:49 GMTAs your baby grows and develops, there are lots of things you can do to have fun together and that will help him or her learn about the world. These pages look at:

    

   • How your baby develops
   • Talking with your baby
   • Playing with your baby
   • Singing with your baby
     
   • Keeping your baby safe
   
   
   ]]>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:36:47 GMTPreparing feeds safely

   Formula milk comes in two forms: powder and ‘ready-to-feed’ (in cartons).

   Babies are at risk from dangerous infections caused by bacteria if the feed is not prepared safely, so always follow these important steps:

   1. Wash your hands carefully.
   2. Clean and disinfect the surface you will be using.
   3. Sterilise the bottle and teat.

    

   If you are using powdered formula milk:

   1. Use fresh tap water to fill the kettle (don’t use water that has already been boiled)
   2. Boil the kettle, then let it cool for no more than 30 minutes.
   3. Pour the cooled water into the bottle.
   4. Loosely fill the powder scoop with milk powder and level it.
   5. Add the milk powder to the water (add as many scoops as it says on the tin).
   6. Holding the teat by the edge... ]]>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:19:13 GMT
      When should we start on solids?
      Until your baby is about 6 months old, breastmilk (or formula milk) is the only food she needs. It’s not a good idea to give her other food too early, as her digestive system isn’t ready yet.

      You can tell that your baby is ready for solid foods when he can:

      • Stay in a sitting position and hold his head steady
      • Look at the food, pick it up and put it in his mouth all by himself.
      • Swallow food (if he finds it hard to swallow, he’ll push it back out).

      Before your baby is six months old, he may need more milk feeds if he seems to be getting hungrier, or suddenly starts waking up in the night. These aren&rsqu... ]]>Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:58:02 GMTChoosing how to feed your baby is an important decision. Most mums in the UK decide to start off breastfeeding their babies, and this is why:

      • Breastfeeding is the only food that is perfect for your baby, containing everything he or she needs. It changes as the baby’s needs change.
      • Breastfeeding protects your baby against serious infections because it passes on some of your immunity while your baby’s immune system is still developing.
      • Breastfeeding protects your baby against cot death.
      • Breastfeeding protects your baby against serious problems like childhood obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in later life.
      • Breastfeeding protects you against developing breast and ovarian cancer.
      • Breastfeeding helps you lose pregnancy weight faster.
      • Breastfeeding helps make a strong bond between you and your baby.
      • Breastfeeding is free.
      • Breastfeeding is convenient, especially in the middle of th... ]]>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:53:54 GMTYour newborn baby needs to be fed breastmilk (or a formula milk) little and often, and for about the first six months he or she doesn’t need any other kind of food. From six months onwards the best possible thing is to introduce solid food gradually while continuing to breastfeed.

        
        These pages look at:

         

        • Choosing how to feed your baby
        • Watch films about how to breastfeed
          
        • Get your breastfeeding DVD
        • Bottle feeding
        • Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:34:26 GMTSome people feel an immediate bond of love with their newborn, while for others it comes more slowly.

           

          An important way to begin bonding with your baby is through communication. This clip features a baby communication expert talking about the importance of communicating iwth your baby, even before they can talk.
          
          

          Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/19507929

           

           

          Find out more at the links below:
          
          Talking with your baby
          
          Playing with your baby
          
          Singing with your baby... ]]>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:49:24 GMTHaving a baby has an impact on your relationships with everyone around you, from partner and parents to friends and work colleagues.

           

          This clip shows ways parents can support one another and work together in a relationship to get the best start for their kids.

          
          
          

          Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/29637002

          
          
          Get more help
          Further information on feelings and relationships in early parenthood is available from HealthTalkOnline:
          healthtalkonline.org/Pregnancy_children/Pregnancy/Topic/1737/

          ]]>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:52:36 GMTMost people experience both highs and lows when they become parents.
          This clip shows parents talking about post birth stress and supporting one another to deal with the emotions and situations that arise after baby is born.
          
          
          
          
          Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/29635778
          
          
          Get more help
          Further information on feelings and relationships in early parenthood is available from HealthTalkOnline:
          healthtalkonline.org/Pregnancy_children/Pregnancy/Topic/1737/
          
          
          ]]>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:52:12 GMTOnce your baby is born, life will never be the same again. These pages look at:

           

          • Feelings and emotions
          • Relationships
          • Bonding with your baby
          
          ]]>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:45:26 GMTIf you are working, there’s lots you need to find out about rights to time off for antenatal care, maternity and paternity leave and pay, your health and safety at work, stress, and benefits for you and your child.

           

          If you’re out of work and receiving benefits, there’s lots you need to find out about how having a baby affects your benefits and requirements to look for work.

           

          If you are going to be a single parent, you’ll also need information about agreeing child maintenance with the baby’s father.

           

          Get more help

          For information about everything to do with work and money, please visit:

           

          www.maternityaction.org.uk (downloadable factsheets on work and benefits)

           

          www.gingerbread.org.uk (if you are going to be a single p... ]]>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:41:48 GMTThe very best thing you can do to protect your baby is not to smoke or take drugs, and doctors think it’s safer to give up alcohol as well.

          
          This short video shows a soon-to-be father talking about general health, smoking and alcohol during his wife's pregnancy.
          
          
          
          
          Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/31730395
          
          
          
          

          Get more helpFurther information is available from NHS Choices:

          nhs.uk/planners/pregnancycareplanner/pages/Alcoholanddrugs.aspx

           

          nhs.uk/planners/pregnancycareplanner/pages/Smoking.aspx

          &nbs... ]]>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:44:09 GMTMany of us are overweight or underweight when we become pregnant, but it’s important to manage weight sensibly to give our babies the best possible start.

           

          Please come back soon for information about managing your weight in pregnancy.

          ]]>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:45:01 GMTIt’s important to look after yourself by keeping active and fit when you are pregnant, but what is safe and what is not? Many of us are overweight or underweight when we become pregnant, but it’s important to manage weight sensibly to give our babies the best possible start.

           

          Please watch this short video where an expectant mother talks about eating and exercise during pregnancy.

          
          
          
          Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/31729454
          
          
          
          Get more helpNHS Choices offers information on exercise during pregnancy
          Eating well when you are pregnant is one of the most important things you can do to give your baby the best possible start.

           

          Please watch this short video where an expectant mother talks about eating and exercise during pregnancy.

           

          Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/31729454
          
          
          Get more helpNHS choices provides some excellent information on Foods to Avoid during pregnancy:

          nhs.uk/Planners/pregnancycareplanner/pages/carewithfood.aspx

           

          ]]>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:04:27 GMTWhether you are the mum or the dad, there are lots of things you can do to feel close to your baby before he or she is born.

          
          In this short video, an expectant mother talks about bonding with her unborn baby when they were in a crowded and noisy environment.

          
          
          

          Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/31735564
          ]]>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:21:33 GMTPregnancy can be an emotional rollercoaster ride, as there are so many changes to get used to.

          
          Get more help
          NHS Choices has information on a range of topics related to feelings and emotions during pregnancy:

          nhs.uk/Planners/pregnancycareplanner/Pages/Feelingshome.aspx

           

          HealthTalkOnline has information on emotions during pregnancy:

          healthtalkonline.org/Pregnancy_children/Pregnancy/Topic/2018/

           

          ]]>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:38:55 GMTHaving a baby is an amazing experience, and brings with it masses of questions and decisions about many things you may have never thought about before.

          
          Your midwife or doctor will tell you all the medical things you need to know, but what about all the other stuff?

          
          The pages in this section will help you look after yourself and your partner so that your baby has the best possible start in life. They cover:

           

          • Feelings and emotions
          • Bonding before birth
          • Eating
          • Exercise<... ]]>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:56:04 GMTResources

            North J. Getting it Right. Services for pregnant women, new mothers and babies in prison. Maternity Alliance 2005

            http://www.maternityaction.org.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/prisonsreport.pdf

             

            www.birthcompanions.org.uk

            Charity providing personal support to pregnant women and new mothers in prison

             

            ]]>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:19:35 GMTWhat is domestic abuse?

            Domestic abuse is defined by the Home Office as

            
            

            ‘Any incident of threatening  behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.’

             

            Domestic abuse occurs across the whole of society although some vulnerable women are particularly at risk, including women who are poor, have mental health problems or who are in temporary accommodation.

             

            Examples of domestic abuse

            Physical

            Shaking, smacking, punching, kicking, presence of finger or bite marks, starving, tying up, stabbing, suffocation, throwing things, using objects as weapons, female genital mutilation, ‘honour violence’. Physical effects are often in areas o... ]]>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:19:36 GMTParents who do not have good role models for parenting will benefit from support and advice about how to bond, play and communicate with their baby.

             

            Here are some useful video resources modelling responsive play and communication:

            
            

             Baby communication
            

            
            

            Talking with your baby

            &n... ]]>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:04:17 GMTBecoming parents brings about big changes in most couples’ relationships, and many relationships break up under the stress of the transition.

             

            For information about couple relationships and how to support them as a professional, and also for lots of resources to signpost families to, go to www.thecoupleconnection.net.

             

            ]]>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:03:46 GMTMany people come to parenting without previously having spent much time with babies and small children, and without their own experiences of having been parented with warmth and consistency. This section looks at how you can:

             

            • supporting parents in their relationships with each other
            • support parents to bond, play and communicate with their baby
            
            
            ]]>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:33:24 GMT
            
            ]]>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:16:08 GMT“Giving every child the best start in life is crucial to reducing health inequalities across the life course. The foundations for virtually every aspect of human development – physical, intellectual and emotional – are laid in early childhood. What happens during these early years (starting in the womb) has lifelong effects on many aspects of health and well-being– from obesity, heart disease and mental health, to educational achievement and economic status.”

            The Marmot Review Fair Society, Healthy Lives (2010)

             

            Our children do not all have an equal start in life. There is a large difference between the health, well-being, and cognitive and social development of children born into prosperous families and those born into poor families. These differences last a lifetime with children from disadvantaged backgrounds being less likely to do well at school and work, more likely to suffer more ill h... ]]>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:19:42 GMT

            • Class A: Ecstasy, LSD, heroin, cocaine, crack, magic mushrooms, crystal meth
            • Class B: Cannabis, amphetamines, Methylphenidate (Ritalin), Pholcodine 
            • Class C: Tranquilisers, some painkillers, GHB, ketamine
            
            8.6% of adults and 20% of young adults (16-24) have used illegal drugs in the last year (NHS Stats). 3.1% of adults and 7.3% of young adults have used a class A drug in the last year (NHS Stats).
            
            Risk factors for drug use include: poverty, having been in care, having been homeless, having truanted or been excluded from school, involvement in crime (NHS Stats). 80% of women involved in street prostitution are problem drug users (Hester & Westmarland)
            
            Substance misuse in pregnancy
            Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:19:43 GMT 

            The terminology used by professionals to describe mental health problems can be problematic because:

            • in the past there has been a tendency to overlook antenatal mental health problems
            • in the past there has been a tendency to group together all postnatal mental health problems under the label of ‘postnatal depression’
            • as well as having a clinical meaning, words such as ‘stress’, ‘depression’, and ‘anxiety’ are used in ordinary conversati... ]]>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:19:45 GMT

    

   “A significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills (impaired intelligence); with a reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning); which started before adulthood, with a lasting effect on development”. (Department of Health, Valuing People 2001)

    

   1. Many people who have a learning disability prefer to use the term “learning difficulty”.
   2. A person with an IQ of less than 70 can be diagnosed as having a learning disability.
   3. Around 7% of adults with a learning disability are parents, but most have a mild to borderline impairment, which may make it difficult to identify them as they will not have a formal diagnosis.
   4. Around 40% of parents with a learning disability do not live with their children. The children of paren... ]]>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:19:46 GMT There are about 1.7 million disabled parents in the UK, mostly with physical and sensory impairments.
      
      Health and social services have a legal duty under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 to make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services and any information are accessible to disabled people.

       

      Issues in pregnancy

      1. Some disabled parents face negative attitudes to their decision to have a child.
      2. Physical access to buildings, and familiarisation with the layout for people with a visual impairment.
      3. Accessible equipment such as examination tables, beds and maternity cribs.
      4. Use of side room if extra equipment e.g. wheelchair too large for postnatal ward.
      5. Flexible appointment times (for people with chronic fatigue or pain).
      6. Communication difficulties - people with sensory impairments may need an advocate or inter... ]]>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:19:47 GMT
         
         • Stillbirth and infant death – babies of mothers born in India, Bangladesh and East Africa have an increased risk, and mothers born in the Caribbean, the rest of Africa and Pakistan have double the risk compared with babies of mothers born in the UK (ONS data)
           
           
         • Low birthweight – babies of mothers born in the Caribbean, East Africa, India and Pakistan have an increased risk and mothers born in Bangladesh have double the risk compared with babies of mothers born in the UK (ONS data)
           
           
         • Preterm birth – babies of mothers of Afro-Caribbean and African origin are at increased risk compared to babies of mothers of other ethnic origins (Aveyard et al, Macfarlane et al)
           
           
         • Congenital abnormalities – babies of mothers of born in India and Bangladesh are at increased risk and babies of mothers born in ... ]]>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:19:48 GMTMany people who become parents have additional vulnerabilities that put them at increased risk of poor outcomes for themselves and their children. This section looks at particular circumstances that can create extra challenges for parents, and offers ideas for health professionals to support parents more effectively. It looks at parents who:

            

           • are young
           • are from Black and Minority Ethnic communities, especially recent migrants 
           • have a disability
           •  

             Wondering what breastfeeding is really like? How do people breastfeed when they’re out and about? What should you do if breastfeeding hurts? Can you still breastfeed if you’re going back to work? What about twins and triplets? What if your baby is in special care?

              

             The films on this page follow four mums who decide to breastfeed their babies, and will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about breastfeeding and how to do it successfully. To watch a film, click on the headings or images below or use the menu to the left.

              

             If you want to have your own copy of these films, they are available on our DVD From Bump to Breastfeeding. Click here to find out how to get a copy.

             
             
             All pregnant women should receive a copy of the From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD from their midwife at 28 weeks. However if you don't get a copy, we would be happy to send you one for only £3 plus P&P. You can place an order at our online shop or call us on 020 7443 7895.
             
             If you're a healthcare professional, please click here for details on how to order DVDs for your area.
             
             
             
             ]]>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:59:00 GMTClick here to find out what we can offer your organisation.
             
             Jones DayJones Day are a worldwide legal firm whose London office has generously supported Best Beginnings for several years now with work on contracts, agreements and other vital legal documents.
             
             
             Heirloom MediaHeirloom Media is a film and digital media production company that has produced work of the highest quality for Best Beginnings' productions, including 'From bump to breastfeeding' and 'Small Wonders'.
             
             
             Article 10Article 10 is a group of marketing and communication companies that has helped Best Beginnings be at the cutting edge of... ]]>Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:28:52 GMT
             Our staff
             
             Our board
             
             Our patrons & supporters
             
             ]]>Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:16:14 GMTVolunteer opportunities or if you can help us fundraise see our events or our list of other things you can do.
             
             ]]>Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:05:26 GMT
             Click here to find out more about the background and purpose of this important project.
             
             We have been following the families you see below over many months, and it is their stories, interwoven through the DVD and supported by expert interviews and commentary, that we hope will empower and enable parents to play a vital and beneficial role in their babies' care.
             
             
             
             
             Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/16654137
             
             
             Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:14:50 GMT
             Click here to find out more about the background and purpose of this important project.
             
             We have been following the families you see below over many months, and it is their stories, interwoven through the DVD and supported by expert interviews and commentary, that we hope will empower and enable parents to play a vital and beneficial role in their babies' care.
             
             
             
             
             Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/16655242
             
             
             Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:14:14 GMT
             Click here to find out more about the background and purpose of this important project.
             
             We have been following the families you see below over many months, and it is their stories, interwoven through the DVD and supported by expert interviews and commentary, that we hope will empower and enable parents to play a vital and beneficial role in their babies' care.
             
             
             
             
             Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/16654816
             
             
             Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:31:15 GMTChildren born into poverty are more likely to be early or small and more than one in ten babies in the UK is premature. A premature baby is defined as one that is born before 37 weeks gestation.
             
             The UK has the highest rate of low birthweight babies in Western Europe. [source] The percentage of preterm babies varies from 9.7 per cent for Caribbean people to 6.1 per cent in White British people. [source]
             
             Some parents feel disempowered and withdraw from their babies when they find themselves in this situation. It can mean that preterm or sick babies are deprived of the regular physical touch of their parents or their mother’s breast milk.
             
             Skin-to-skin ... ]]>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:41:37 GMTBreastfeeding provides the healthiest start for babies and mothers, but although the rates of breastfeeding initiation in the UK continue to increase, around a fifth of babies are never breastfeed, and these are disproportionately the babies of mothers who are poor or very young. Although most mothers do start to breastfeed their babies, by the age of one week only around a third of babies are exclusively breastfed.

              

             Without the necessary advice and support many women suffer significant pain when breastfeeding, both physical and emotional, before they stop. Our DVD shows parents how to get started breastfeeding and provide practical answers to the common problems.
             
             Alison Baum, CEO of Best Beginnings, says: “Many poor health outcomes stem from the care, nutrition and environmental factors that impact us f... ]]>Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:02:29 GMT
             All you need to do is fill out this secure form.  
             ]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:31:12 GMTBest Beginnings is seeking someone with the skills and determination to help us give every baby in the UK the healthiest possible start in life.
             
             Best Beginnings work depends on charitable donations from a range of sources. We are looking for a Fundraising Support Volunteer to assist with every aspect of our fundraising and ensure we have the resouces we need to make a difference.
             
             This role is ideal for those looking to gain experience of fundraising in a growing organisation, learn about the charity sector or simply seeking the opportunity to make a difference.  
             
             Please contact Head of Fundraising Tom Walker at Tom@bestbeginni... ]]>Sat, 12 May 2012 15:47:04 GMT
             At the end of August, we welcomed our new Policy & Development Manager Susi Farnworth. Susi comes to us with a wealth of experience in the third sector and has hit the ground running in our fast-moving office environment.
             
             We held a successful ladies luncheon at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Chelsea. We would like to thank all who attended including the parents of sick and premature babies, whose heart moving stories helped to raise vital funds for our Small Wonders project.
             
             Our Small Wonders project continues to move forward. The evaluation work has begun and we have already reached 50% of our target of 300 Small Wonders champions.
             
             The ... ]]>Sun, 13 May 2012 02:46:07 GMTBest Beginnings Announce Next Stage of Small Wonders DVD at Chelsea Lunch

             50 people attended an exclusive lunch on 5th September at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Chelsea Harbour to celebrate the penultimate stage in the launch of Best Beginnings new Small Wonders DVD to help the parents of premature and sick babies.
             
              
             
             This DVD which will help support and inform parents of premature and sick babies follows on from the success of Best Beginnings breast feeding DVD “From Bump to Breastfeeding” which is given out to mother’s to be at 36 weeks by their midwives. The DVD will officially launch in the New Year, and following stakeholder reviews of the initial rough-cut Best Beginnings are now starting the first of a series of Parent and Practitioner Champion projects in neo-natal units funded by the... ]]>Wed, 16 May 2012 11:36:16 GMT
             
             

             Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/19504114
             
             Watch Dr Kirk's commentary on this film to hear why this is such a good example of baby communication, or read on to find out more.
             
             
             
             Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/19509074
             
             
             
             What's lovely about the garden is that there is no background noise from anything like the TV or the washing machine.  Without this noise Natalia is better able to listen and learn about different sounds a... ]]>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:28:31 GMTNo one knows the importance of a will more than a stuntman. He wouldn’t put his life on the line for the sake of mere entertainment without knowing that everyone and everything he cares for in life is taken care of, should anything happen.
             
             That’s why Remember A Charity approached the aging stunt legend, Rocky Taylor to be the face of their new campaign. You may recognise him from his days as the Honey Monster. Or perhaps you saw him in a film, doubling for 007s, such as Sean Connery, Roger Moore and that other one.
             
             You name it, Rocky’s done it. And together, we hope to raise awareness of the importance of wills to charities like Best Beginnings. Just a 4% increase in gifts left in wills would raise an additional £1 billion a year for good causes.
             
             
             
             Vimeo Video Get on your bike in 2012 and raise vital funds to help Best Beginnings give every baby in the UK the healthiest start in life.
             
             This long-weekend challenge links two great European cities, London and Paris, covering around 300km in just 3 days. Encounter historic towns, sleepy villages and rolling countryside en-route before cycling along wide Parisian boulevards to the finish line at the city's most famous landmark - the Eiffel Tower. Then enjoy a free day to explore the beautiful sights of Paris before boarding the Eurostar back to London.
             
             Fri, 18 May 2012 09:24:16 GMTSome wonderful people have done amazing things to raise vital funds for Best Beginnings. We call them Our Champions. 
             
             On Sunday 10th July 2011, 20 fantastic runners laced up their trainers to raise funds for Best Beginnings as part of the ASICS London 10K.  You can see their fundraising pages with films and photos of this fun event and it's not too late to sponsor any of the Best Beginnings runners.
             

             
             So far the Best Beginnings Team of 20 have raised nearly £10,000 to help give every baby in the UK the healthiest start in life.

             Runner Paul Gringrass, said: “This is the third yea... ]]>Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:46:11 GMTThis page is for purchasing multiple copies of the 'From bump to breastfeeding' DVDs. Individuals can buy single DVDs for £3 + £1 p&p from Best Beginnings.
             
             Best Beginnings is committed to offering the DVD at the lowest possible price ensuring that as many women as possible in England are able to benefit from this proven resource. Healthcare professionals in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are still able to order From Bump to Breastfeeding free of charge.
             
             Order DVDs for your area and pay by card at our online shop. Alternatively, send purchase orders:
             
             

             • Thank you to everyone who made the Best Beginnings 10K Run a success!Everyone at Best Beginnings would like to say a huge thank you to all those that made the run on July the 10th a success.  
               
               Without the support of the Royal Horseguards Hotel who provided a fantastic room for all the runners to get changed, Jonnie Allen of Batfish Media who did all the filming on the day, Frances Baker of the Big Society Network who took fantastic photographs and Katherine Tutton and Rashid Williams at Article 10 who edited the runners films. We couldn't have made the day the success it was.
               
               Thank you also to all those that took part in the run.  Check out their fundraising pages to see the films and photographs that Jonnie, Frances, Katherine and Rashid have put together.
               
               Its not too late to sponosor any of our runners! 
               Our Small Wonders project has seen a lot of important developments. The robust tendering process to find a unit in which to run Best Beginnings' “Small Wonders Practitioner, Parent, Champions Project” was successful. The opportunity was won by Liverpool Women's Hospital where a full-time band 7 nurse in the role of Practitioner Champion will be implemented in the neonatal unit for up to 3 years. The success of this pilot project in Liverpool will lay the foundations for a rollout to neonatal units across the country.
               
               Rough cuts of the 6 films that make up the Small Wonders DVD have been viewed by over 200 experts. We are very grateful for their invaluable input and feedback. In late June, over 50 stakeholders came together for the second Small Wonders Stakeholder event to suggest ways in which ... ]]>Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:13:21 GMThere.
               
               Their efforts have also been covered in this weeks Ham & High
               
                 ]]>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 05:26:39 GMTSmall Wonders DVD, Best Beginnings forthcoming change programme to support the parents of premature and sick babies to play a key role in their baby's care in ways that improve health outcomes. 
               
               Vicki has been featured in the July issue of Candis Magazine who have kindly supported Best Beginnings through the Big Give.
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               ]]>Fri, 18 May 2012 15:44:35 GMTWorking to improve outcomes for teenage parents and their children by developing maternity services to meet their needs.
                
               Welcome!
               
               To read our latest newsletter click here or read previous editions of the newsletter here.

                

               To contact or join the network, please email Jenny Mcleish on tpmidwives@bestbeginnings.org.uk, giving your name and work address. 
               
                
               What is the National Teenage Pregnancy Midwifery Network?
               
               Founded by two teenage pregnancy specialist midwives in 2001, the network aims to improve maternity services for teenage parents and their children by 

                

               • collecting evidence on what works to im... ]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 14:59:43 GMTLeaving a legacy for the next generation
                 Making a will is the only way to make sure that your property and possessions will pass to those you want to benefit.  It’s only right that your family and friends come first in your thoughts but that doesn’t mean you can’t also leave a gift to a cause close to your heart.
                 
                 Leaving a gift to Best Beginnings, however large or small, will help us to give the next generation the healthiest possible start in life.  The first two years of life are a fantastic window of opportunity to reduce healthcare inequalities.  Currently these inequalities mean that the poorest in our society will suffer from disability 17 years earlier t... ]]>Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:47:07 GMTAt Best Beginnings we are committed to spending as much of your money as giving every child in the UK the healthiest possible start in life.  We don’t have a big team and we are very grateful to the fantastic volunteers who help us to make a big impact.  For example, all the films that you see on our website apart from ‘From Bump to Breastfeeding’ and ‘Small Wonders’ have been made by film-makers and editors who give their time and skills free of charge to support our work.

                 
                 
                 In 2009/10 nearly 85% of all money given to Best Beginnings have gone directly to making a difference. We won’t spend your money on big advertising campaigns or street-fundraisers.

                 
                 
                 

                 

                 Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11733954
                 
                 Best Beginnings was set up in 2006 as a catalyst for change, using innovative approaches to break down inequalities in child health in the UK. 
                 
                 The work of Best Beginnings is unique in the UK, making the most of the window of opportunity between preconception and two years of age where foundations for a healthy childhood can be laid. 
                 
                 Our approach is unique because we:
                 
                 
                 • Create dynamic, evidence-based resources, interventions and events for children, families and healthcare professionals, with a particular focus on engaging communit... ]]>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:50:06 GMT

                   Over the last four years Best Beginnings has established itself as a small charity delivering big results. 

                   Based on the evidence and supported by the clinical experts on our board Best Beginnings’ first strategic focus was to work to increase breastfeeding rates across the UK. Read on to find out about the success of the breastfeeding manifesto, our DVD 'From Bump to Breastfeeding', and the art show 'Get Britain Breastfeeding'.

                   
                   From Bump to Breastfeeding

                   
                   Our proudest achievement to date is the unprecedented success of the DVD, 'From Bump to Breastfeeding'.
                   
                   

                   • The DVD has gone out to more than 1.5 million women across the four nations of the UK.
                   • Evaluation has proven its effectiveness in increasing breast... ]]>Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:49:16 GMT
                     
                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/19500805
                     
                     Watch Dr Liz Kirk's commentary on what makes this a wonderful example of baby communication, or read on to find out more.
                     
                     
                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/19506823
                     
                     Simple play like this is a great opportunity to encourage your child's early communication. Mum and baby are taking turns rolling and passing the ball to one another and they are also taking turns 'talking' to each other. What we are seeing is a beautiful verbal and nonverbal conve... ]]>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:27:12 GMTMonika singing 'The Grand Old Duke of York' to her ten month old daughter Svara.
                     
                     
                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/19498709
                     
                     Watch Dr Kirk's commentary to find out why nursery rhymes are so good for baby communication, or read on to find out more.
                     
                     
                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/19504815
                     
                     Babies love nursery rhymes, and the rhythm of songs and rhymes helps with their language development. Songs with... ]]>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:28:31 GMT
                     Ellie, 2 months old, taking turns in a lovely conversation with her mum Katie. 
                     
                     
                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/19499876
                     
                     Watch Dr Liz Kirk's commentary on this clip to find out what makes it such a good example of baby communication, or read on to find out more.
                     
                     
                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/19509649
                     
                     
                     Katie gets Ellie's attention by gently calling her name and you'll see just how happy Ellie is when she locks eyes with her mum. What follows is a really lovely conversation between Katie and Ellie, with Elie resp... ]]>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:28:47 GMTDo you want to keep up-to-date with Best Beginnings’ projects, events and news? If so, then sign-up to the Best Beginnings newsletter to receive our latest updates straight to your inbox.  You can also read our CEO’s blog to find out all about what Alison has been up to. Or join us on Facebook and Twitter to help spread the word about Best Beginnings and our work.  
                     ]]>Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:13:56 GMT
                     
                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/19507929
                     
                     Babies are born ready and wanting to communicate.  
                     
                     Babies’ speaking and listening skills are blossoming long before they utter their first word.  From the moment babies are born, they are ready and wanting to communicate. Humans are pre-wired to be interested in faces and voices. Babies recognise their mother's voice from the womb and will even recognise her face by the end of their first day.
                     Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:09:04 GMTRough cuts of the 6 films that make up the Small Wonders DVD have been viewed by over 200 experts. We are very grateful for their invaluable input and feedback.
                     
                     
                     Best Beginnings appoints Professor Alan Maryon-Davis as Chairman.

                     Professor Alan Maryon-Davis has been elected as Chair of the national charity Best Beginnings.  He takes over from media lawyer Andrew Moss who has held the post since 2009.

                     
                     Professor Maryon-Davis is Honorary Professor of Public Health at King’s College London and immediate Past President of the UK Faculty of Public Health with over 35 years experience in preventive medicine, health promotion and health policy at national and local level. As former head of health sciences at the Health Education Council he was involved in many national campaigns, including infant nutrition, child accidents and passive smoking. More recently he spearheaded local approaches to reducing health inequalities as director... ]]>Mon, 07 May 2012 23:58:35 GMT

                     Best Beginnings is offering a free long-play version of the ‘From bump to breastfeeding’ DVD for use in waiting rooms in hospitals, children’s centres, GPs surgeries and other acute or community settings where the ‘From bump to breastfeeding’ DVD is given out.
                     
                     This long form is a 25 minute preview which plays continuously on a loop and features the first four chapters of ‘From bump to breastfeeding’.This free Preview DVD is intended to provide families with a ‘taster’ of the full version DVD to increase their chances of watching their own copy of the DVD at home both before and after the birth of their baby. Please be aware that the Preview DVD ... ]]>Fri, 18 May 2012 20:32:49 GMT
                     

                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/19501329
                     
                     Watch Dr Kirk's commentary to hear what makes this a good example of baby communication, or read on to find out more.
                     
                     
                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/19508473
                     
                     Even though eleven month old Natalia can't yet sing along with this nursery rhyme she is certainly joining in by lifting up her arms and waving them around. Natalia has probably heard this nursery rhyme many times as she seems to recognise the words and is joining in with the action... ]]>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:28:31 GMT
                     In this film we see Monika singing 'The Grand Old Duke of York' to her nine month old daughter Svara.  This is a wonderful action nursery rhyme and you'll see just how much Svara enjoys joining in with her whole body. Monika sings the song a couple of times and each time Svara laughs just as much, if not more with every repetition.   
                     
                     By singing nursery rhymes over and over babies will learn to recognise the songs and will remember the actions. You will get bored of singing the same song long before your baby will tire of hearing it!
                     
                     Monika does something brilliant and pauses after she has sung the rhyme once she asks Svara 'Again?' This invites Svara to respond, which she does using her voice and waving her arms in excitement. Sharing nursery rhymes in this way is a great way to encourage your baby’s early communication. 
                     
                     
                     
                     Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:19:52 GMTwww.coinstreet.org/developments/coinstreetneighbourhoodcentre.html
                      
                     The business of the meeting will take place from 10am-4pm. The actual event will run from 9.30am-4.30pm to allow for coffee and teas at the beginning and the end of the day. Lunch is also being provided. Please email smallwonders@bestbeginnings.org.uk if you have any special dietary requirements.
                      
                     Please note that due to capacity at Coin Street, not all Stakeholders who are being invited to give feedback are actually being invited to the Stakeholder meeting. You are amoungst a few key stakeholders and representatives of Royal Colleges, professional bodie... ]]>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:12:29 GMT
                     I passsionately believe, like Best Beginnings, that every baby should be able to have the healthiest possible start in life and so I hope people will support me and the charity by sponsoring me to do the run.
                     
                     
                     
                     

                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/26616159

                     
                     ]]>Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:01:07 GMTYour donation helps to reduce healthcare inequalities. Every year in the UK hundreds of thousands of babies don’t get the start they need in life. The first years of life are the biggest opportunity to make a difference to people's future.  
                     
                     The recent independent report by Graham Allen MP has shown that every pound spent on Early Intervention for children and families can deliver £10 of savings. 
                     
                     It’s in these earliest years that Best Beginnings makes a proven difference.  Our first major project ‘From Bump to Breastfeeding’ has been shown to increase breastfeeding rates at six weeks.  Breastfeeding is a powerful way to improve child health, reduce infant mortality     
                     
                     Our next project Small Wonders will focus on the tiniest and most vulnerable babies.  Small Wonders will give the parents of premature and sick babies the knowledge and confidence they need to play a pivotal r... ]]>Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:55:32 GMTBest Beginnings has been fortunate enough to work with some leading trusts and foundations in our first four years.  Thanks to their generosity we have been able to create ‘From Bump to Breastfeeding’, grow in size and expertise and make excellent progress with ‘Small Wonders’.

                     
                     "I have worked with Best Beginnings since they were founded in 2006 and have seen them grow and deliver impornat projects that have been shown to make a big difference.  I consider them a proven means of giving children in the UK a healthier start in life."
                     
                     James Sainsbury 
                     
                     
                     We are looking for more trusts and foundations to join us in our mission to give every child in the UK the healthi... ]]>Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:56:07 GMT
                     In the films below you will hear parents of sick and premature babies talk about why Small Wonders is needed. 
                     
                     

                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/20814942

                     
                     
                     
                     

                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/21971988

                     
                     
                     
                     

                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.co... ]]>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:15:02 GMT
                     Also available to download is a PDF of the booklet that will be included in every DVD: smallwondersbooklet12dec.pdf
                     
                     The 10 films available below are:
                     1. Introduction
                     2. Birth
                     3. First hours
                     4. Expressing breast milk
                     5. Holding your baby
                     6. Your time in hospital
                     7. Feeding independently
                     8. Preparing for home
                     9. First months at home
                     10. Twins and Triplets
                     11. Bereavement
                     
                     
                     1. Introduction
                     

                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/18994832

                     
                     
                     More than one in ten babies in the UK is born prematurely or sick.
                     
                     Some parents feel disempowered and withdraw from their babies. This can mean that preterm or sick babies are deprived of the regular physical touch of their parents or their mother’s breast milk.
                     
                     We want to make sure all parents of premature or sick babies are aware of the benefits of skin-t... ]]>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:39:23 GMT

                     Best Beginnings' fundraisers play a vital role in improving the health of babies in the UK. So whether you're from Solihull or Stirling, Cardiff or Cambridge, you'll be changing the lives of young children across the nation.

                     
                     FACT: Babies born in Birmingham are six times more likely to die than those born in Hampshire.
                     
                     Here are some simple actions you can take to help our vital work.
                     
                     Baby showerIt's something of a new thing for us Brits, but how about holding a baby shower? All the guests can give a little to Best Beginnings, so you know you're not just helping your... ]]>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:32:31 GMTBest Beginnings
                     12 Vale Royal
                     London
                     N7 9AP
                     
                     info@bestbeginnings.org.uk
                     Tel: 020 7443 7895
                     Fax: 020 7443 9502
                     
                     Best Beginnings is a Registered Charity No. 1120054 and a company limited by guarantee No. 5866886.
                     ]]>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:43:33 GMT

                     Although the health benefits of breastfeeding are overwhelmingly clear, the reality is that many parents don’t get the practical information and support they need to start breastfeeding or to continue as long as they wish. Nine out of ten women who have stopped breastfeeding before six months say they wished they could have carried on for longer, and many say they stopped because of a lack of information and support.

                      

                     Our groundbreaking DVD From bump to breastfeeding: following real mothers' stories to find out how shows parents how to get started breastfeeding and provid... ]]>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:37:25 GMT
                     

                     Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11842038

                     
                     Best Beginnings has been supported by some fabulous volunteers with a variety of skills and backgrounds.
                     
                     We'd be delighted to hear from you if you would like to help us give all of Britain's babies the best possible start in life.
                     
                     If you are interested in volunteering to help with fundraising, learning more about the charity sector or just giving something back please apply to Tom Walker, our Head of Fundraising, at tom@bestbeginnings.org.uk or call on 020 3326 7302.
                     
                     We are also looking for volunteers to help us in other areas. Let us know if you are:
                     
                     

                     •     able to enter data into a computer
                     •     able to take professiona... ]]>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:06:45 GMT
                       Our patrons are:
                       
                       James Sainsbury
                       The Countess of March and Kinrara
                       Laura Bailey
                       Louise Galvin
                       Kate Goldsmith
                       Oliver James
                       John Humphreys
                       
                       
                       Our supporters are:
                       
                       Nimmy March
                       Theo Walcott
                       Christian O'Connell
                       Charlie Webster
                       
                       
                       ]]>Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:10:09 GMT
                       

                       
                       

                       Best Beginnings was founded by Alison Baum, a science graduate who had worked for almost 10 years at the BBC. Alison worked on programmes such as Horizon and Tomorrow’s World, communicating key scientific and medical breakthroughs.

                        

                       
                       

                       
                       The above video is of Best Beginnings' Summer Party, which was held on August 29 at North Middlesex Cricket Club.
                       
                       Thanks to everyone who attended and enjoyed the cricket match, charity raffle and fun & games!
                       ]]>Mon, 07 May 2012 22:41:30 GMTAs ever, it has been an extremely busy period with project and policy work. Highlights of the last month include a full day spent with Jacqui Smith, the producer/director and project manager for the Small Wonders project, and a half a day spent at Queen Charlotte’s hospital meeting with leading clinicians and allied healthcare professionals about the progress of the project.
                       
                       I have been arriving at all my meetings somewhat hotter and sweatier than would normally be expected of a CEO, but for good reason: in September I am cycling from London to Paris to raise vital funds for Best Beginnings and I am taking every opportunity to sneak in training rides. Almost every time I have to get to the same place as a colleague who is travelling by public transpor... ]]>Sat, 12 May 2012 01:23:08 GMTread here.
                       
                       This is the letter from Best Beginnings:
                       
                       Dear Sir/Madam
                       
                       We are writing to you from Best Beginnings, the child health charity committed to working collaboratively and informed by evidence to help reduce health inequalities in the UK.
                       
                       We are deeply concerned that in Zoe Williams' article "Welcome to Parenthood" (G2, June 29), she suggested that the promotion of breastfeeding in ... ]]>Sun, 13 May 2012 05:12:27 GMT
                       
                       The streets of central London were teeming with runners on Sunday for the Asics British 10K London Run.
                       
                       Twenty runners raised over £10,000 for Best Beginnings, running through Westminster, Embankment and Tower Hill in the blazing sun.
                       
                       Team spirit was the order of the day, with our runners being treated to breakfast with our Ambassador Charlie Webster, before heading to the start line.
                       
                       

                       
                       

                       
                       Here’s our team on the day...
                       
                       
                       
                       Fri, 11 May 2012 00:47:18 GMTmyself and Dr Judith Meek and Charlie Webster and MP Graham Allen.
                       
                       Here’s a short film about the day:
                       
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/12827299

                       
                       Since I last wrote, Charlie has been interviewed by talkSPORT in Richmond Park. You can see the interview below. Be warned, there’s a lot about football – Charlie’s a massive Sheffield United fan – but she does mention our London to Paris bike ride at the end. And s... ]]>Sat, 12 May 2012 20:51:19 GMT
                       "Our beautiful daughter Olivia was born at 25 weeks, weighing just 760 grams. She was almost unrecognisable as a baby – tiny, bruised and fragile. Seeing her grow into a chubby little girl was incredibly empowering to me."
                       Mirelle, mother of Olivia
                       
                       Best Beginnings is dedicated to improving child health across the UK. Your donation will help us support more babies like Olivia.
                       
                       Donate now
                       You can donate online to support Best Beginnings’ pioneering work reaching families facing the greatest child health inequalities in the UK. Just press the button on the banner on the ... ]]>Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:56:26 GMTAlan Maryon-Davis FFPH FRCP HonFRCGP (elected Chair of Trustees 20/06/11)Honorary Professor of Public Health, Kings College London
                       
                       Alan has over 35 years experience in preventive medicine, health promotion and health policy at national and local level. As former head of health sciences at the Health Education Council he has been involved in many national campaigns, including infant nutrition, child accidents and passive smoking. More recently he has spearheaded local approaches to reducing health inequalities as director of public health for the multi-deprived inner-London borough of Southwark. Alan has been a member of several Department of Health taskforces and has chaired a national working group on health p... ]]>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:46:35 GMTIt’s been an incredibly busy few weeks since I wrote my last blog. There is a lot to update you on, so I’ll try and keep each bit brief.
                       
                       First, we had our official office launch. Actor Leon Ockenden and TV Presenter Charlie Webster kicked off the event with a training session, then actress Celia Imrie gave a lovely speech and cut the ribbon.
                       
                       I was so delight... ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 21:24:27 GMT
                       
                       Best Beginnings Ambassador Charlie Webster, CEO Alison Baum, consultant paediatrician Dr Judith Meek, and MP Graham Allen have spoken at a Breastfeeding Manifesto event in Parliament.
                       
                       The event, which took place during National Breastfeeding Week, aimed to ensure the support of the new coalition government. What follows below is a short film giving an overview of the event.
                       
                       

                       Fri, 18 May 2012 10:54:08 GMT
                       Hot young talent Leon Ockenden (recent roles in Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Heartbeat and video game Heavy Rain) has convinced nine of his closest acting chums (including Ben Batt of Shameless fame and Harry Lloyd who starred in the BBC drama Robin Hood as well as episodes of Dr Who) to take on the challenge of riding from London to Paris to raise funds for the charity Best Beginnings.
                       
                       Instead of the usual party antics associated with the rite of passage, the actors will be putting all their physical efforts into ensuring a healthy start for Britain's babies.
                        
                       Best Beginnings focuses on the period from before a child is born to their second birthday, during which the foundations of a healthy life are laid. There is a large child health gap between the top and bottom of the socio-economic scale in the UK and acro... ]]>Fri, 18 May 2012 00:02:51 GMT

                       
                       TV presenter Charlie Webster and three up-and-coming actors braved a mid-summer downpour to undertake a grueling training session – from a seven-year-old boy!
                       
                       The session took place in Soho Square, central London, and was the first official training session for Charlie and the actors in the run-up to the ... ]]>Thu, 17 May 2012 08:54:02 GMT
                       

                       
                       
                       Celebrities Celia Imrie, Charlie Webster and Leon Ockenden yesterday opened the new office of Best Beginnings.
                       
                       Actress Celia, best known for her roles in Dinner Ladies, Bridget Jones’s Diary and the Victoria Wood Show, cut the ribbon to mark a new era for Best Beginnings.
                       
                       Celia said: “At the beginning of life we’re all equal, we’re all born with no clothes on, we’re all born equal wherever we are. What I think is marvelous about this charity is that it makes sure that wherever you are in the country, whether you’re in Birmingham or Hampshire or Scotland or Cornwall, you’ll all have the best beginning.”
                       
                       
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.co... ]]>Mon, 14 May 2012 04:10:24 GMT
                       
                       
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/26617457

                       
                       To find out more about how Best Beginnings is making a difference to the lives of UK babies, watch this short video:
                       
                       
                       
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11733954

                       
                       ]]>Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:47:30 GMT– Sky Sports presenter Charlie Webster launching London to Paris bike ride

                       Award winning actress Celia Imrie is to open the new office of national child health charity Best Beginnings on Thursday May 27th 2010.

                       
                       

                       Celia will cut the ribbon at 11am to launch a new chapter for Best Beginnings, a charity dedicated to giving every baby in the UK the healthiest start in life.

                       
                       

                       Set up in 2006, Best Beginnings works to change the unacceptable health inequalities that exist in the UK. A baby born in Birmingham is six times more likely to die in infancy than a baby born in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

                       
                       

                       Celia, who has a 15-year-old son, said: “I count my blessings every day for my son Angus. Giving our children the healthiest possible start in life is absolu... ]]>Wed, 16 May 2012 22:10:54 GMTBest Beginnings helped celebrate a milestone anniversary of the start of milk banking at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital in May. The event marked 75 years since the London hospital first started the process and 70 years since the opening of the milk bank there.
                       
                       The Best Beginning’s team took their innovative Get Britain Breastfeeding art exhibition to the event and helped rejoice the work of the milk bank which has helped thousands of precious babies benefit from specially collected, tested and heat-treated milk over the years.
                       
                       The ... ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 20:33:59 GMT
                       Breastfeeding is free, always on tap, and it gives babies the healthiest start in life.
                       
                       If you breastfeed your baby is less likely to suffer from diabetes, or obesity in later childhood.
                       
                       Breastfeeding is good for you too. It can help you lose any pregnancy weight and protect you against some cancers.
                       
                       This two-minute film is the introduction to our DVD, which will show you how to get started – from bump to breastfeeding!
                       
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11712233

                       
                       This is the introduction to our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD. The rest of the DVD can be viewed by clicking through the links t... ]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:01:30 GMT
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11735781

                       
                       This is an extra film from our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD. The rest of the DVD can be viewed by clicking through the links to the left. While they work very well as stand-alone films, the DVD is best viewed as a whole.
                       
                       ]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:12:02 GMT
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11734645

                       
                       This is an extra film from our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD. The rest of the DVD can be viewed by clicking through the links to the left. While they work very well as stand-alone films, the DVD is best viewed as a whole.
                       
                       ]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:11:02 GMT
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       Why Best Beginnings?
                       By working in partnership with Best Beginnings you’ll have a unique opportunity to be associated with a child health charity "punching way above its weight" to affect change.
                       
                       We have a fresh brand, an innovative approach and can offer your company good social return on investment and complete transparency on where and how your money is spent.
                       
                       Partnering with a charity can enhance the reputation of your company among new and existing customers and the local community. It demonstrates your commitment to social responsibility and to bringing a dramatic change to the lives of the UK's most vulnerable babi... ]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:11:10 GMT
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11719790

                       
                       This is an extra film from our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD. The rest of the DVD can be viewed by clicking through the links to the left. While they work very well as stand-alone films, the DVD is best viewed as a whole.
                       
                       ]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:12:41 GMT
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11695489

                       
                       This is chapter two of our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD. The rest of the DVD can be viewed by clicking through the links to the left. While they work very well as stand-alone films, the DVD is best viewed as a whole.
                       
                       ]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:02:35 GMTWe value your feedback and pride ourselves on working collaboratively. If you've seen our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD, please let us know what you think in the comments section below. With your help we can develop even better resources in the future!
                       ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 20:30:25 GMT
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11737581

                       
                       This is an extra film from our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD. The rest of the DVD can be viewed by clicking through the links to the left. While they work very well as stand-alone films, the DVD is best viewed as a whole.
                       
                       You may also like to watch out for our Small Wonders DVD on caring for a sick or premature baby. You can
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11707916

                       
                       This is chapter three of our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD. The rest of the DVD can be viewed by clicking through the links to the left. While they work very well as stand-alone films, the DVD is best viewed as a whole.
                       
                       ]]>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:00:33 GMT
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11739595

                       
                       This is an extra film from our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD. The rest of the DVD can be viewed by clicking through the links to the left. While they work very well as stand-alone films, the DVD is best viewed as a whole.
                       
                       ]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:14:44 GMT
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11712953

                       
                       This is chapter four of our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD. The rest of the DVD can be viewed by clicking through the links to the left. While they work very well as stand-alone films, the DVD is best viewed as a whole.
                       
                       ]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:06:22 GMT
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11692547

                       
                       This is chapter five of our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD. The rest of the DVD can be viewed by clicking through the links to the left. While they work very well as stand-alone films, the DVD is best viewed as a whole.
                       
                       ]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:05:38 GMT
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11715262

                       
                       This is chapter six of our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD. The rest of the DVD can be viewed by clicking through the links to the left. While they work very well as stand-alone films, the DVD is best viewed as a whole.
                       
                       ]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:07:14 GMT

                       
                       Alison Baum, Chief Executive Officer of Best Beginnings, gave an inspiring speech to more than 1000 health care professionals at the Primary Care 2010 conference in Birmingham in May. She talked about the health inequalities that exist between Britain’s babies and shared her vision for a future where all children have the best start in life.
                       
                       Delegates listened intently as Alison outlined the importance of health trusts signing up to UNICEF’s Baby Friendly Initiative and urged those present to use the resources that Best Beginnings have created. Amongst these is the
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11715916

                       
                       This is chapter seven of our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD. The rest of the DVD can be viewed by clicking through the links to the left. While they work very well as stand-alone films, the DVD is best viewed as a whole.
                       
                       ]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:08:50 GMTWe're committed to radically improving child health in the UK. But we can't do it without your support.
                       
                       

                       Best Beginnings is dedicated to giving the 80,000 babies born sick and premature in the UK each year, the best possible start in life. Our Small Wonders project aims to give parents the knowledge and confidence they need to play an active and positive role in their premature and sick babies' care in ways that are known to improve health outcomes.
                       
                       It's only with your help that we can carry out this work so please donate as much or as little as you can and help us to give the most vulnerable of babies the healthiest possible start in life. Donating is simple, fast and totally secure. O... ]]>Tue, 15 May 2012 21:14:44 GMT
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/11717999

                       
                       This is chapter eight of our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD. The rest of the DVD can be viewed by clicking through the links to the left. While they work very well as stand-alone films, the DVD is best viewed as a whole.
                       
                       ]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:09:52 GMTBest Beginnings works to give every baby in the UK the healthiest start in life. Your donation will help us break down health inequalities for babies across the country.
                       
                       We're committed to radically improving child health in the UK. But we can't do it without your support.
                       
                       It's only with your help that we can continue our work, like:
                       
                       

                       • Improving the health of sick and premature babies
                       • Helping new parents prepare for the birth of their baby
                       • Making sure 600,000 new parents receive our breastfeeding DVD every year

                       
                       Please donate as much or as little as you like. Donating is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, Best Begin... ]]>Wed, 16 May 2012 12:31:38 GMTI do hope you like our new website. We’ve taken on board your comments and implemented some great new interactive features so you can get more involved.
                       
                       We’ve also embedded videos into many parts of the site, which I think is very unusual for a charity website, especially a charity as small as Best Beginnings.
                       
                       We’re celebrating Our Champions – fantastic individuals who are doing amazing things for Best Beginnings. We’ve been able to integrate their fundraising pages into our website. This way more of what you donate is going straight to Best Beginnings and not being siphoned off into admin costs of a third party website.
                       
                       I encourage you to sign up, login, give us your feedback and get involved! Together we can radically improve the hea... ]]>Sat, 14 Apr 2012 08:10:59 GMT"British Asics 10k run".
                       
                       Best Beginnings small but dedicated team work tirelessly to create resources, run projects and deliver change programmes to reduce inequalities in child health across the UK.
                       
                       As a paediatrician, I understand the importance of the preventative approach Best Beginnings takes and I value the focus the charity places on demonstrating the impact of their work. I ask that you dig deep and sponsor me as genersously as you can.
                       
                       Together we can make a difference for future generations.
                       
                       At the finish line Paul said: "This is the 3rd year I've run  for Best Beginnings. It gets better each year with more runners joining us. It's a great cause, and needed more than ever in the present economic climate. Looking after the babies makes good health and economic sense for everybody." ]]>Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:55:26 GMTBest Beginnings hosted a popular stand at UNICEF’s Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) annual conference in November. The event, which attracts professionals and others involved in the care of mothers and babies, aims to provide the very latest information and advice about breastfeeding.
                       
                       Best Beginnings’ Chief Executive Officer Alison Baum, who sits on the BFI steering committee, was on hand to offer help to delegates at the two-day conference. She was based on the Best Beginnings stand which received considerable interest from health professionals keen to find out more about the charity.
                       
                       Many told of how useful the charity’s From Bump to... ]]>Wed, 16 May 2012 21:34:20 GMT
                       Findings from the Marmot Review (2010) showed that children from the poorest backgrounds are nearly twice as likely to have conduct problems and hyperactivity, as well as nearly half the vocabulary ability of those from the richest backgrounds. Even at 22 months old, evidence shows there are significant differences in the educational performance of children from different social groups.
                       
                       From a physiological perspective, children born into poverty are also more likely to be born small, early, or both, be bottle fed, have poor nutrition and die younger. Studies show that when human foetuses hav... ]]>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:42:02 GMT
                       Candis Magazine, July 2011
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       Ham & High, 5 May 2011
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       Use the links below to view Best Beginnings' accounts and annual reports.
                       
                       2009-2010
                       Click here to download:
                       

                       

                       Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:17:21 GMT
                       
                       A group of fitness enthusiasts raised more than £10,000 for Best Beginnings after racing around London in July. Eighteen people took part in the sponsored 10K run which will help pay towards operating costs for the charity’s vital work.
                       
                       Among the runners were Best Beginnings CEO Alison Baum and her husband, plus the Chair of Trustees, Andrew Moss. They were joined by people living locally to the charity’s office in West Hampstead, who were keen to show their support.
                       
                       Best Beginnings is always keen to hear from people enthusiastic about raising funds. If you’re interested in taking part in the next Asics British 10K London Run or hosting any other, slightly less energetic event, please email info@bestbeginnings.co.uk or call 020 7443 7895.
                       ]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 21:46:31 GMTA charity fundraising event for Best Beginnings was held at the offices of international accountancy firm BDO Stoy Hayward in June. Business leaders, lawyers and city slickers went along to donate money and find out how their organisations can assist with long term fundraising for the charity. Among those present were BDO senior practice partner Daniel Dover, Best Beginnings Patrons James Sainsbury and Nimmy March (pictured below right), and the parents of footballer and Patron Theo Walcott (pictured below left).
                       
                       Films about Best Beginnings were shown on a big screen as a jazz band played and drinks flowed freely. A raffle and prize draw r... ]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 22:18:07 GMTBest Beginnings charity cycle ride from London to Paris
                       As Team GB return home from Beijing with their biggest medal haul in 100 years, London's very own Team BB gears up for its own cycling bonanza!
                       
                       Best Beginnings CEO Alison Baum, affectionately dubbed “The Cycling CEO” by colleagues, has taken on the olympian challenge of cycling from London to Paris this September (14th - 17th) to raise in excess of £10,000 for the charity. Alison will be cycling 285 miles over 4 days alongside team mates Claire Davis, Annette Kurer, Francesca Entwistle, James Sainsbury and Jack Hawker and is looking for both individual and corporate sponsors.
                       
                       Alison says: “This will be my 3rd charity bike ride, but my first as CEO of the charity and certainly my most challenging from a physical perspective. Whilst I am working on my physical health to complete the cycle ride, I am asking you to help me consider the financial health of the charity... ]]>Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:45:34 GMTMany arduous miles, saddle sore bums, a few minor scrapes, but all in all, six very happy and exhausted cyclists completed the epic London to Paris bike ride to raise thousands for Best Beginnings.
                       
                       Alison and the gang enjoyed the beautiful scenery, welcome refreshments and sparkling company over the 182 miles, all in the name of helping Britain's babies get an equal chance of a best beginning.
                       
                       And if you haven't yet sponsored anyone, it's not too late, click through to this page to see how the merry band of weary cyclists are nearing their targets, see more pics, and to give any of us a last-minute boost!
                       
                       The team: Jack Hawker, Alison Baum, Ann... ]]>Mon, 07 May 2012 21:50:10 GMTSeptember 5-7, 2008 and amid the rolling hills of the scenic Isle of Wight a festival was unfolding... not just any festival, but the acclaimed, sold-out Bestival. And Best Beginnings was there thanks to the generous support of Bestival hosts Josie and Rob da Bank, who provided us with our very own marquee and volunteer passes.
                       
                       Needless to say the BB team was very excited by the preparations for our first ever festival! The weather reports painted an ominous picture, and to the flip flops, suncream and vests in the rucksack were added wellies, ponchos, emergency fold out canoes... But despite the 'weather bomb' drenching... ]]>Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:37:57 GMTCAF Charities Online Accounts Awards for charities in the income bracket from £100,000 and £499,999.
                       
                       Alison Baum and Frankie Blagden attended the awards ceremony at the Institute of Chartered Accountants where Best Beginnings received a very special mention for winning the award despite being less than a year old! Special congratulations go to Frankie Blagden, Jo Bradshaw and to Sheryl Feldman at Westbury Accounts. They worked incredibly hard and effectively as a creative team on our annual accounts. A very special thank you goes to Frankie for coming up with the idea for applying to CAF, and for project managing the project so effectively.
                       
                       We have won a prize of £5,000 which we can put to very good use to help the Get Britain Breastfeeding Exhibition begin its National Tour, engaging communities up and down the country. ]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 06:49:31 GMTAn art exhibition to engage the parents of tomorrowGet Britain Breastfeeding is an interactive exhibition of work by design students to 'rebrand' breastfeeding for the parents of tomorrow. The exhibition features seven poster panels containing artwork by students of Central Saint Martin’s College of Art & Design, created as part of a competition to promote breastfeeding to young people. There is also a 32-page colour interactive guide with details on the artists and questions for young people viewing the exhibition.
                       
                       We are thrilled to now be able to take G... ]]>Mon, 14 May 2012 16:18:43 GMT
                       We have a wealth of free content on our website to help prepare women and men for parenthood, including information on breastfeeding, skin to skin contact and baby communication.
                       
                       Our DVD 'From bump to breastfeeding' has been given out for free to over 1.5 million pregnant women in the UK.  The DVD follows real men and women on their journeys from bum... ]]>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:23:53 GMT
                       Watch this space... ]]>Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:33:07 GMTWould you like your baby to be a Best Beginnings baby?
                       
                       If you'd like your little one featured on the Best Beginnings site, simply donate a small amount towards our valuable work and email celebration@bestbeginnings.org.uk to let us know..
                       
                       You'll not only be helping your Best Beginnings Baby, but the 600,000 new babies born each year in the UK.
                       
                       And you don't need to worry about confidentiality – we will not disclose anything other than your child's first name.
                       
                       Just donate a little to our work and we will contact you personally to arrange sending us the pictures.
                       
                       

                       Or, if you would like to celebrate a birthday or wedding by donating to Best Beginnings just let us know by emailing celebration@bestbeginnings.org.uk or phoning 0207 443 7895. If you make a donation of £20 or more we’ll send yo... ]]>Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:23:43 GMT
                       
                       
                       ]]>Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:58:24 GMT
                       Click here to find out more about the background and purpose of this important project.
                       
                       We have been following the families you see below over many months, and it is their stories, interwoven through the DVD and supported by expert interviews and commentary, that we hope will empower and enable parents to play a vital and beneficial role in their babies' care.
                       
                       

                       Vimeo Video http://www.vimeo.com/16654816Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:41:17 GMTWe are happy to share the findings of the independent evaluation of the “From bump to breastfeeding” DVD.
                       
                       The executive summary of the Evaluation report, which was written by researchers at Bournemouth University, can be downloaded here and the full report is available here.
                       

                       

                       Impact_of_Breastfeeding_DVD_executive_summary.pdf

                       
                       
                       www.bestbeginnings.org.uk (our site) to you.  Please read these terms and conditions carefully before ordering any Products from our site.  You should understand that by ordering any of our Products, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
                       
                       You should print a copy of these terms and conditions for future reference.
                       
                       Please click on the button marked "I Accept" at the end of these terms and conditions if you accept them.  Please understand that if you refuse to accept these terms and conditions, you will not be able to order any Products from our site.
                       
                       1. Information about us
                       
                       1.1 www.bestbeginnings.org.uk is a site operat... ]]>Wed, 06 Apr 2011 03:25:27 GMTBest Beginnings ("We") are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.

                       
                       

                       This policy (together with our Tue, 19 Apr 2011 06:22:33 GMT

                       This acceptable use policy sets out the terms between you and us under which you may access our website www.bestbeginnings.org.uk (our site). This acceptable use policy applies to all users of, and visitors to, our site.

                       
                       

                       Your use of our site means that you accept, and agree to abide by, all the policies in this acceptable use policy, which supplement our terms of use.

                       
                       

                       www.bestbeginnings.org.uk is a site operated by Best Beginnings ("We" or "Us"). We are a registered charity and company in England and Wales with charity number 1120054... ]]>Sat, 16 Oct 2010 08:38:50 GMT1. Terms of website use

                       
                       

                       This page (together with the documents referred to in it) tells you the terms of use on which you may make use of our website www.bestbeginnings.org.uk (our site), whether as a guest or a registered user.  Please read these terms of use carefully before you start to use the site. By using our site, you indicate that you accept these terms of use and that you agree to abide by them. If you do not agree to these terms of use, the use of the site must be terminated immediately.

                       
                       

                       2. Information about us

                       
                       

                       2.1 www.bestbeginnings.org.uk is a site ... ]]>Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:35:00 GMT ]]>Sun, 01 May 2011 11:45:43 GMT ]]>Mon, 23 Aug 2010 05:42:00 GMT ]]>Sat, 21 Aug 2010 05:00:39 GMT
                       

                       • The From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD is being given free across the UK to pregnant women by their midwife. Since the DVD’s launch in November 2008 over 1.5 million copies have been distributed.  This valuable resource, which is endorsed by five Royal Colleges, has been designed to motivate and enable the next generation of mothers to make a supported choice to breastfeed and can be viewed in seven languages including Urdu, Bengali and Somali. Click Best Beginnings is working collaboratively with healthcare professionals and teachers
                         We work to help end child heath inequalities by focusing on the period from before a child is born to their second birthday where the foundations of a healthy life are laid. We are committed to working towards a society where babies from all backgrounds have an equal chance of a healthy start and future.
                         
                         Best Beginnings focuses on changing healthcare practice and outcomes in the care of infants across the UK. We address this challenge by:
                         
                         
                         • developing a range of pioneering interventions and resources for healthcare professionals and families so that they have the information and... ]]>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:29:58 GMT ]]>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:35:15 GMT
                           
                           Get Britain Breastfeeding is an interactive exhibition of work by design students created to 'rebrand' breastfeeding for the parents of tomorrow.
                           
                           The exhibition features seven poster panels containing artwork by students of Central Saint Martin’s College of Art & Design, created as part of a competition to promote breastfeeding to young people.
                           
                           Click here to view the works from the exhibition.
                           
                           There is also a 32-pa... ]]>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:58:28 GMTSat, 17 Mar 2012 15:26:24 GMT ]]>Thu, 03 May 2012 14:11:54 GMTemail or call us on 020 7443 7895. ]]>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:53:43 GMTemail us or call us on 020 7443 7895. ]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 22:33:16 GMTevents page to see what is coming up. You can join the events via our website. If you have any queries please email our fundraising team or call 020 7443 7895. ]]>Sat, 12 May 2012 01:37:18 GMTemail us your postal address or call us on 020 7443 7895.
                           
                           If you're a healthcare professional please click here for information on ordering the DVD. ]]>Sun, 22 Apr 2012 22:50:16 GMTways to give page for simple ways you can contribute to our work. ]]>Sun, 18 Mar 2012 06:16:07 GMTIt's only with your help that we can continue to support 600,000 new parents in the UK every year.
                           
                           Our From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD shows parents how to give their babies the best start in life: their mothers' milk.
                           
                           Please donate as much or as little as you like. Donating is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, Best Beginnings will make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.
                           
                           ]]>Tue, 15 May 2012 00:08:09 GMT ]]>Wed, 18 May 2011 15:06:53 GMT ]]>Thu, 12 May 2011 13:59:54 GMT ]]>Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:44:29 GMT ]]>Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:49:00 GMT ]]>Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:50:46 GMT ]]>Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:25:16 GMT ]]>Wed, 18 May 2011 14:11:59 GMTFeedingNHS Breastfeeding site, with advice, tips and how-tos. Also featuring our own From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD.
                           
                           Jane’s Breastfeeding Resources has been running since 1996 and is an extensive breastfeeding resource.
                           
                           The NHS Choices site is also geared towards breastfeeding, this time with an emphasis on the medical side of things. It also includes an excellent timeline so you know what to expect from birth to five.
                           
                           The Br... ]]>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:55:28 GMTNine out of ten women in the UK who stop breastfeeding before their baby is six weeks old would have liked to breastfeed for longer.
                           
                           Every year more than 300,000 women across the UK are not receiving the support or information they need.
                           
                           Best Beginnings lobbies government to create a society in which breastfeeding becomes the standard – not the exception.
                           
                           We founded the Breastfeeding Coalition in 2006 and now work with 40 organisations, including five Royal Colleges, UNICEF and all the national breastfeeding charities.
                           
                           Guiding principles of the Breastfeeding Manifesto
                           
                           • Women feel enabled to initiate and c... ]]>Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:29:43 GMTBest Beginnings charity cycle ride from London to Paris
                             As Team GB return home from Beijing with their biggest medal haul in 100 years, London's very own Team BB gears up for its own cycling bonanza!
                             
                             Best Beginnings CEO Alison Baum, affectionately dubbed “The Cycling CEO” by colleagues, has taken on the olympian challenge of cycling from London to Paris this September (14th - 17th) to raise in excess of £10,000 for the charity. Alison will be cycling 285 miles over 4 days alongside team mates Claire Davis, Annette Kurer, Francesca Entwistle, James Sainsbury and Jack Hawker and is looking for both individual and corporate sponsors.
                             
                             Alison says: “This will be my 3rd charity bike ride, but my first as CEO of the charity and certainly my most challenging from a physical perspective. Whilst I am working on my physical health to complete the cycle ride, I am asking you to help me consider the financial health of the charity BB.”Sun, 19 Sep 2010 22:29:18 GMT
                             
                             Alison Baum, CEO of Best Beginnings, is able to comment on a wide range of issues surrounding birth and child health, including breastfeeding, premature and sick babies and transition into parenthood.
                             
                             Alison has appeared on Woman’s Hour, BBC Breakfast, This Morning, Sky News and the Jeremy Vine show.
                             
                             If you would like to speak to Alison, please call the Best Beginnings office on 020 7443 7895 or email press@bestbeginnings.org.uk.
                             
                             To speak to Best Beginnings out-of-hours please call 07525 688190.

                       ]]>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:27:38 GMTWe've been fortunate to work with some of the UK's brightest students. They have helped us design our posters, contributed to our Get Britain Breastfeeding exhibition and worked on our films.
                       
                       If you're a student and keen to help the UK's babies to have the healthiest start in life, we want to hear from you.
                       
                       You can:
                       
                       Design something
                       Shoot a film
                       Write for us
                       ...or suggest new ways we can work.
                       
                       You can email or call us on 020 7443 7895. ]]>Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:18:53 GMT