Hackney has an annual birth cohort of approximately 3,500–3,800 live births, representing the population requiring maternity, infant feeding and early years prevention support from pregnancy through infancy. While breastfeeding initiation locally is strong, continuation and equity of outcomes vary across communities, particularly in relation to deprivation, housing insecurity, young parenthood and structural barriers to accessing support. Peer-led, culturally responsive and community-embedded infant feeding support therefore represents a critical preventative intervention within Hackney’s integrated Start for Life and Family Hubs system.

Hackney has an annual birth cohort of approximately 3,500–3,800 live births, representing the population requiring maternity, infant feeding and early years prevention support from pregnancy through infancy. While breastfeeding initiation locally is strong, continuation and equity of outcomes vary across communities, particularly in relation to deprivation, housing insecurity, young parenthood and structural barriers to accessing support. Peer-led, culturally responsive and community-embedded infant feeding support therefore represents a critical preventative intervention within Hackney’s integrated Start for Life and Family Hubs system.