The ‘wish list’ was compiled by asking more than 500 mothers and fathers, from across the UK, what they want from our new government. The top 60 messages were put in bottles and delivered, by hand, to Number 10’s very own mum-to-be: Samantha Cameron.

In light of the changing political landscape, and representing mothers countrywide, these 60 women have been determined to empower new mothers by making sure that their needs are heard and understood by the new government.  

At the heart of this campaign are the needs of real mothers. This was the driving force behind the event which was supported by yoomi, the mum-and-dad company behind the innovative, self warming baby bottle; who spoke directly to mothers using email, twitter and online networks.

Yoomi is helping to revolutionise the way parents bottle-feed their babies when breastfeeding isn’t possible and encourages fathers to get more involved in feeding.  One of the company’s key aims is to support new parents so the idea to provide a platform to enable mothers to directly approach the Government for support was a natural campaign to initiate.  Quite simply, yoomi provided the idea and impetus and– the mothers then made it happen.

Talking about the day, Farah Shaikh, the inspiration behind the bottle and mum to Niall and Danial said: “During election fever lots of the mums got chatting and decided, as we women do (!), that we could run the country better!! This got me thinking. We’re all so busy being mums, who is actually representing us? Do the Government even know what we need? And, why should mothers be behind the scenes when so much affects us and our families.”

She added: “giving it some thought, I decided we should ‘Warm up the Government’ – a simple way to raise awareness of mothers needs, to the people who can actually make a difference. I have been overwhelmed by the response from mothers across the UK – and by today’s events – and I’m delighted to see so many mums standing up together to make a difference: to make a change for themselves and for future mums.”

The messages delivered today were personal – all written and submitted by individual mothers and fathers. They are passionate about seeing change, for them and future families, and provided hundreds of great ideas to help Government make the impact they need to.  Themes included: care during pregnancy, birth and beyond; breast and bottle feeding and weaning; childcare, education, working mothers, the family unit and many more.  

Impressed by this call to arms from mothers, Clare Byam-Cook, Independent Breast Feeding Counsellor and former nurse and midwife commented:  "I think it's brilliant that yoomi is encouraging mothers to be heard. Speaking on behalf of my clients, I think that there is now far too much pressure on mothers to breastfeed and not enough practical help when things go wrong. She added: “My wish is that this Government initiate more practical [rather than theoretical] training for midwives when it comes to breastfeeding - and require midwives to follow up on mothers who are discharged from hospital while still struggling to breastfeed – this way they can know, for sure, that the advice being given actually works".

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