Lots of help at hand for Isle mums

The awareness week runs from June 20 to 28 and highlights the benefits of women breastfeeding their babies – for both mum and child.

Trust breastfeeding support midwives Jane Goodwin and Amanda Anderson said breastfeeding is so much more than just a way of feeding a baby.

Jane said: “Breast milk and breastfeeding is more than a way of feeding a baby, it’s a special relationship between mother and baby which provides them both with protection from many illnesses and disease.

“Try it, you might like it. If you decide it’s not for you, then well done for giving it a go, and congratulations for providing some protection for baby,” she said.

Maternity services at the Trust are currently working towards being a Baby Friendly accredited organisation. This ensures staff are trained to adopt baby friendly best practice standards to provide positive experiences for mothers and babies, in relation to feeding and caring for the newborn.

Amanda said during pregnancy there are various opportunities for people to discuss infant feeding with a trained member of staff, whether that is a midwife, healthcare assistant, health visitor, peer support worker or children’s centre worker. She said: “It is important for women to have all the information so they can make an informed choice about how they intend to feed and care for their baby.”

Expectant parents in North and North East Lincolnshire have the chance to attend infant feeding sessions to get information and learn practical skills to help with breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Everyone is welcome to pop along, including dads and grandparents. For those in North East Lincolnshire they should ring (01472) 874111 extension 7878 for further information. For people in North Lincolnshire they should ring either Barton, Brigg, West Street, Epworth or Althorpe and Keadby children’s centres.

Jane said: “Mother’s milk is priceless. It is easily digested and absorbed by babies and contains everything they need for the first six months of life. There are also many benefits to baby, the mother, the family and the environment. It provides protection against many infections and allergies, baby is less likely to be admitted to hospital in the first year of life with gastroenteritis, and there is also a reduced risk of childhood diabetes and obesity as well as leukaemia.

“The mother also acquires amazing health benefits. Breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis (brittle bones).Even though evidence is

lacking, we know women are more likely to regain their pre-pregnancy weight quicker as they burn between 500 and 1,300 calories per day, as well as their wombs tend to return to their pre-pregnancy location much quicker. For mother and baby there is growing evidence to suggest that breastfeeding reduces the risk of cardio-vascular disease.”

As part of the awareness week a number of events are being held in Grimsby and people are being invited to pop along:

· Monday June 22, 9.30am to 11.30am, family services reception, Grimsby hospital

· Tuesday June 23, Boots, Freshney Place, 9.30am to 12noon

· Wednesday June 24, 9.30am to 11.30am, Cleethorpes library

· Wednesday June 24, 11.30am to 1.30pm, Cleethorpes beach

· Thursday June 25, 9.30am to 11.30am, Beacon Medical Practice

· Friday June 26, 9.30am to 11.30am, Riverside children’s centre

· Friday June 26, 1pm to 2.30pm, Immingham breastfeeding group, Immingham children’s centre.

Events are also being held in Scunthorpe as follows:

· Saturday June 20, 10am to 11.30am, launch of new Saturday antenatal baby friendly feeding sessions

· Tuesday June 23, learning and development centre, Enderby Road, breastfeeding peer supporter induction day

· Wednesday June 24, 12pm to 3pm, Side By Side Children’s Centre. Ashby Breastfeeding Café (ABC) first anniversary party

· Wednesday June 24, 1pm to 2pm, Manor Farm Children’s Centre, “Don’t Bottle It” Feeding session

· Friday June 26, 9am to 2.30pm, Scunthorpe hospital restaurant.

Anyone wanting further help or information about the events, or about breastfeeding, can ring Jane Goodwin (Scunthorpe) 07595 087303 or and Amanda Anderson (Grimsby) 07850 299641.