A series of special events are being held across Merseyside to celebrate Breastfeeding Awareness Week (19–25 June). From a picnic in Sefton Park, to the opening of a new infant feeding room at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, the activities are designed to bring mums together to celebrate the benefits of breastfeeding.
The events are being co-ordinated by Liverpool Primary Care Trust (PCT), NHS Sefton and NHS Knowsley and NHS Wirral in partnership with Liverpool Women’s Hospital and Alder Hey Hospital, local children centres and the Liverpool branch of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT). They form part of the wider Breast Milk It’s Amazing campaign, which aims to raise breastfeeding rates across Merseyside.
The partnership aims to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, which not only provides the optimal nutrition for babies but also has many benefits for mum. It can protect babies against ear infections, chest infections, diabetes and asthma, while also burning 500 calories a day – the equivalent of an hour of Zumba, 55 minutes cycling, 45 minutes of step aerobics or two hours of walking, so can help mums return to their pre-pregnancy weight much more quickly.
The World Health Organisation and the Department of Health recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months because of its extensive health benefits. Mothers who wish to introduce solids before six months should always talk to health professionals first.
Jill Cooper, Team Leader of BAMBIS (Babies and Mums Breastfeeding Information and Support) at Liverpool Women's Hospital said: “BAMBIS is a peer support group, made up of mums who have successfully breastfed themselves and now want to help other women. We provide support both in the hospital and in the community, meeting mums on a one-to-one basis both before and after they have had their babies. Our aim is to improve the rates for breastfeeding across the whole of Liverpool. Research shows that women who receive this type of support are more likely to start and continue breastfeeding. “
The events will be attended by peer supporters who will be able to provide support groups and a number of breastfeeding peer supporters and a breastfeeding support team based at Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
The following local events are taking place during breastfeeding awareness week, specifically targeted at parents both new and soon-to-be:
- Sunday19 June
- Liverpool Museum Community Room, 12-3pm – Come along to share breastfeeding stories
- Monday 20 June
- Birkenhead Market, 9am-4pm – Health Stall running all week.
- Kensington Children’s Centre, 1-3pm – Afternoon tea.
- Mothercare Speke Retail, 11am – 2pm – Come along to speak to Bambi’s from Liverpool Women’s Hospital about breastfeeding
- Whiston Hospital, There will be a breastfeeding support and information session outside the hospital canteen
- Mothercare Aintree, 12-4pm. Health Visiting Team will be offering breastfeeding support
- Tuesday 21 June
- Seacombe Children’s Centre, 10am – 11.30am. The Big Feed will provide advice, support and activities and Mums will be able to discuss breastfeeding
- Ellergreen Leisure Centre, 10-12. Come along for information and support on breastfeeding
- Knotty Ash Children’s Centre, 10.30-12. Information, support and a continental breakfast
- Wavertree Children’s Centre, 10-12. High Tea
- Hilltop’s Children’s Centre, 10-12. Coffee morning.
- Wednesday 22 June
- Sefton Park, 12-1pm. Picnic organised by Children’s Centres.
- Arrowe Park Hospital, Midwifery focus.
- Mothercare Bromborough, 9am-5pm. Advice and support stall.
- Thursday 23 June
- St Mary’s Church Wavertree, 1-3pm. NCT Bumps and Babies will have a breastfeeding counsellor, accessories library along with a taster session from Tumble.
- Mothercare Bromborough, 9am-5pm. Breastfeeding advice and support stall.
- Mothercare Aintree , 11.30am-4pm.Breastfeeding information and support.
- Alder Hey, 11.30am-2pm. Stand at Alder Road entrance offering advice and support to families.
- Whiston Hospital main entrance Information and support on breastfeeding
- Friday 24 June
- Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Coffee morning and opening of new Infant Feeding Room.
- Birkenhead Grange Precinct. Midwifery shop.
- Kirby Market, 9.30-16.30. Stall information and support raffle to raise money for Ronald McDonalds House Alder Hey.
- Whiston Hospital. Infant feeding team will be offering a breastfeeding drop in with refreshments and support.
- Saturday 25 June
- Outside space near House of Fraser, Wirral. Flash Mob Dance at 11am.
- Breastfeeding Roadshow at The Mackenzie in Birkenhead between 11.30am and 2.30pm with various, stalls and a raffle
For more information, go to www.amazingbreastmilk.nhs.uk.