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Breastfeeding Awareness Week 24-30 June 2012
| Author: NHS Corby | Published: 26th June 2012 15:24 |
Breastfeeding will give your children a stronger immune system, improve bonding between mother and child, and reduce the likelihood of your child becoming obese or developing type 2 diabetes.
It is Breastfeeding Awareness Week and NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group, in conjunction with NHS Northamptonshire Public Health, and NHS Corby Clinical Commissioning Group, wants to remind local people of the benefits of breastfeeding, and the support available. There is now a Breastfeeding Specialist Service which supports mothers with drop-in sessions in Corby, Northampton and Higham Ferrers.
Dr Emma Clancy, GP Children's and Maternity lead for NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "Here at NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group we are keen to promote the advantages of breastfeeding, which really does give your child the best start in life.
"Breast milk is free and natural and will give your baby all the nutrition they need for the first six months of their life.
"Many mums feel uncomfortable about breastfeeding in public, but the good news is that legislation is now on the side of breastfeeding mums. The Equality Act 2010 made it illegal to ask a breastfeeding woman to leave a shop, café or public transport. If babies are hungry, they will ask to be fed, wherever they are - whether this is at home, in the supermarket, or at the park."
Marie McLoughlin, Public Health Specialist for NHS Northamptonshire, said: "We also know that motherhood is a difficult time particularly the first time around, and sometimes new mums can find it difficult to bond. Another advantage of breastfeeding is that it really helps mums to bond with their babies. But we recognise it is not easy - breastfeeding is a learnt skill and some babies may need time and encouragement to breastfeed effectively.
"The NHS has a wealth of support available to mums including midwives and health visitors and support is also available via voluntary organisations and local Sure Start Children's Centres."
Other health benefits of breastfeeding include:
• Breastfeeding protects your baby from many different infections and diseases, particularly in the first year
• It has a positive long-term impact on health - the baby will have less likelihood of becoming obese and developing type 2 diabetes and other illnesses both in childhood and later in life
• Breastfeeding lowers a mother's risk of getting breast and ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis in later life
• Breastfeeding naturally uses up to 500 calories a day.
The Breastfeeding Specialist Service provides the following drop-in sessions every week:
Monday
(except bank Holidays) 1-3pm Pen Green Children's Centre, Pen Green Lane, Corby NN17 1BJ
Tel: 01536 400068
How to find them - click here
Wednesday 10-12am Higham Ferrers Children's Centre, The Library,
Midland Road, Higham Ferrers, Northants. NN10 8DN
Tel: 01933 419759
How to find them - click here
Thursday 10-12am Penfold Children's Centre,
Penfold Close, Northampton NN2 8AP
Tel: 01604 820909
How to find them - click here
For more information on breastfeeding, click here or call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212.
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