THE Western Trust celebrating World Breastfeeding Week which is running from today August 1 to August 7.
This year the campaign theme focuses on public support of breastfeeding with a number of events taking place to challenge social acceptability.
Shauna O’Rourke, Western Trust Breastfeeding says: “With only 7% of babies in Northern Ireland still being breastfed at 12 months.
“It is important that we continue to support mums and encourage acceptability of breastfeeding through campaign promotion like this and using the range of support available throughout the Western Trust.”
During World Breastfeeding Week, Health Development Workers from the Neighbourhood Health Improvement Project (NHIP) are hosting a number of events to include Family Coffee mornings on Friday 4th August from 10am-12pm in Brooke Park, Derry and from 10am-1pm in Roe Valley Leisure Centre, Limavady.
The coffee mornings will have lots of fun activities for kids. Altnagelvin Area Hospital is also hosting a quiz for staff and patients on breastfeeding.
If a mother feels supported by family and the wider community she is likely to breastfeed for longer. This support includes;
- Participating in the Public Health Agency, Welcome Here Scheme
- Develop a workplace policy for breastfeeding women returning to work
- Listen to mums
- Signpost to breastfeeding support
- Raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby
For additional information about breastfeeding or breastfeeding activities within your area contact your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding support group. More information can also be found on www.breastfedbabies.org
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