Help our local mums to provide the best start for babies!

Friday, 08 May 2009

Breastfeeding is recognised as a great way of giving children the best possible start in life.

In a recent survey of local mothers in North West Wales, 75% stated that the most beneficial intervention for supporting new mothers to breastfeed would be a network of places that welcome breastfeeding families.

As part of National Breastfeeding Week 11-17 May, the Gwynedd and Anglesey Breastfeeding Steering Group is therefore urging local public premises to sign up to the Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme’.

Research shows that mother’s milk provides clear long-term health benefits for babies in terms of protection from infections, childhood diabetes and obesity with benefits for mothers too, those who breastfeed are at a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, however, Wales has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Western Europe.

Many businesses, public transport companies and community centres in North West Wales have already signed-up to the scheme and already provide a welcoming environment for breastfeeding mothers and babies.

Sharon Breward Infant Feeding Co-ordinator for the North West Wales NHS Trust said “A new leaflet will shortly be published that will detail all the “Breastfeeding Welcome” locations in North West Wales, this leaflet will be given to all new mums in the area by their midwife or health visitor. In these challenging economic times all business could do with a bit of free publicity so sign up to the scheme and give our new mums a boost!

The scheme is open to cafes, hairdressers, shops, community centres; in fact, any public place! If you would like to nominate a public premises to join the scheme, you can download an application form on the anglesey.gov.uk/health or healthchallengegwynedd.gov.uk websites or phone 01248 752 837 for a form through the post.