Basch Helps CIC, a London‑based community enterprise dedicated to supporting low‑income and vulnerable families, has announced the milestone of assisting more than 6,000 new mothers across the city by distributing brand‑new manual breast pumps over recent years. This initiative forms part of the AngelBox emergency relief community service’s ongoing mission to provide practical, life‑enhancing tools to parents who might otherwise struggle to access essential infant‑care resources.
Breastfeeding: Evidence‑Backed Benefits for Newborns and Mothers
Extensive medical research underscores breastfeeding as one of the most impactful early‑life health interventions. According to the NHS, breast milk meets all nutritional needs of newborns, helps protect against infections and diseases, reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and is linked to lower rates of childhood obesity and cardiovascular disease later in life. It also benefits mothers by lowering their risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. [nhs.uk]
A 2025 systematic review published in Pediatrics further found that breastfeeding is associated with reduced rates of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, otitis media, allergic rhinitis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes, rapid early weight gain, childhood leukemia, and infant mortality. [publications.aap.org]
These findings collectively reinforce longstanding public‑health guidance recommending exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life to maximise long‑term health outcomes.
NHS Breastfeeding Support Services for Families
Parents across London have access to a comprehensive range of NHS breastfeeding services, ensuring support is available from early postpartum days through more complex feeding challenges.
1. One‑to‑One Professional Support
Midwives, health visitors, and trained peer supporters provide individualised guidance to help new mothers establish successful breastfeeding routines. Families may reach out between scheduled appointments or attend local drop‑in baby clinics for face‑to‑face help. NHS helplines and digital tools—such as the National Breastfeeding Helpline (0300 100 0212) and the Breastfeeding Friend chatbot—offer round‑the‑clock, evidence‑based advice. [nhs.uk]
2. Local Breastfeeding Groups & Drop‑Ins
Breastfeeding cafés, drop‑ins, and specialised support centres across London provide safe, welcoming environments where parents can receive professional guidance while connecting with other families. Local councils and Sure Start centres help parents find nearby support groups, with many now offering virtual sessions as well. [nhs.uk]
3. National 24/7 Breastfeeding Help Expansion
As of 2025, the UK Government expanded the National Breastfeeding Helpline to 24/7 coverage, ensuring all parents have access to immediate, non‑judgmental support—part of a broader government initiative to improve early‑years health outcomes and expand Family Hubs across the country. [gov.uk]
Basch Helps’ Ongoing Commitment: Breast Pumps Included in the AngelBox Relief Package
Building on its strong track record of supporting mothers, Basch Helps has formally integrating manual breast pumps into every AngelBox for mothers expecting a new child, in its emergency baby‑care relief package for families in crisis. AngelBox provides essential newborn items to parents facing hardship—ensuring no child starts life without the basics they deserve.
Noor El Huda, Senior volunteer emphasised that access to breastfeeding tools is more than a convenience: it can profoundly influence maternal confidence, infant health, and early parent‑child bonding.
Call to Action: Help Us Support More London Families
Basch Helps relies on the generosity of donors to continue supplying free manual breast pumps to disadvantaged parents across London. With demand growing each year, community support is vital to ensuring that every family—regardless of financial circumstances—has access to the resources needed to give their baby the strongest start in life.
You can make a direct impact today.
Donate now to help Basch Helps purchase and distribute more breast pumps to expecting parents who need them most.
Together, we can protect infant health, empower mothers, and strengthen families across London.
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