Programme in Doncaster encourages healthy eating for babies

A programme that teaches parents how to feed babies nutritious food is helping to change families’ diets and improve health.

The community-based Nourish and Nurture initiative works with new parents in Doncaster and aims to tackle obesity by encouraging healthy habits.

City of Doncaster Council has funded the sessions, which are run by dietitians and provide advice and skills on feeding routines in a child’s first year. More than 70% of adults in the city are overweight or obese.

Hayley Crummett, a midwife on the programme, said: “The statistics show that if we can work on nutrition from early doors, we can really improve long-term health outcomes for children as they grow into adulthood.”

In Yorkshire and the Humber, the percentage of children aged 4-5 years classed as living with obesity increased from 9.8% in the academic year ending 2008 to 10.7% in 2024, according to NHS England’s National Child Measurement Programme.

“We’ve got quite high rates of obesity in Doncaster – the national average is about 64%. Here, we’re looking at a good 74% of people who fall into that category,” said Ms Crummett.

The sessions are run daily, across 12 family hubs in the city, and are staffed by a team of dedicated dietitians and early years professionals.

Gabriella Cheetham, from Hickleton, is one of the new mothers using the programme. Her six-month-old daughter, Aria, was struggling to breastfeed.

The 31-year-old said: “The first session it was to get know us and I had obviously come with a problem, an issue that I wanted to talk about. They were really supportive, and it’s good to have people that know what they’re talking about.

“They are qualified to talk to us about feeding, and they do it in a really friendly, supportive way.”

The programme is open to families expecting a baby or adopting one; parents and carers of babies up to their first birthday; and early years providers, health visitors and community partners.

Danny McKay, a new father to five-month-old Una, was at the session with his partner and found it helpful.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect coming in; we’re just trying to get all the information we can before we start weaning our daughter in the next couple of weeks. We got some information about allergens, which is one of our big concerns.”

During the sessions, which last for around two hours, parents are encouraged to take part in practical food preparation exercises using healthy ingredients, following simple recipes.

“It’s been really nice,” said new parent Gemma Crozier-Pharani.

“Rupert, my son, is now eating what’s been cooked and it’s going down a treat.

“Because it’s my second or third session, it’s been nice to recap on certain things and still be able to ask questions and stuff again as well.”

The council hopes the project will reach hundreds of families over the next three years, building their confidence with feeding and creating lasting healthy routines.