Big Latch on and Nurture Events celebrate Breastfeeding Awareness Week

Midwives, Health Visitors and Peers Supporters from across the Trust have been out and about this week to raise awareness of Breastfeeding in public as part of a national awareness week.

Promoting the breastfeeding support that is available to local women, events this week have included a ‘Big Latch On’ in Scarborough, an awareness raising stand in Mothercare at Clifton Moor in York, a picnic by Treasure Chest in the York Museum Gardens and the announcement that a new ‘Nurture’ breastfeeding support group will commence in the Tang Hall area of York in September.

The theme of this year’s Breastfeeding Week, was Breastfeeding: A winning goal-for life. The aim of the week was to increase the numbers of women breastfeeding their babies as well as highlighting the importance of the promotion and support of breastfeeding.

In York, Health Visitors, Children’s Centre Colleagues and Peer Supporters have been out to raise awareness of the support that is available to new mums including their Nurture and Treasure Chest support groups. 

Lynn Fitzharris, Breastfeeding lead for the City of York Health Visiting Team, explained: “Here in York we are continuing to promote breastfeeding through the Nurture Breastfeeding Support groups, which offer continued support to Mums with breastfeeding problems.

“We are delighted to announce that we will be setting up a new Nurture group at the Avenues Children’s Centre at Tang Hall from Tuesday 2 September, which is very exciting. That will mean that we will have three Nurture groups throughout the York area, promoting breastfeeding where traditionally rates have been low.    

“As part of Breastfeeding Awareness Week we have been manning an information stand at Mothercare at Clifton Moor throughout the week, with colleagues from Children’s Centres. It has been great to be able to speak informally to new mums and mums-to-be who have had questions about breastfeeding and the support groups that are available locally.”

In Scarborough, Peer Supporters from Breast Friends and Midwives from Scarborough Hospital held a ‘Big Latch On’ on 2 August at Briercliff Childrens Centre.

Jacqui Mortimer, Infant Feeding Coordinator, said: Breastfeeding is beneficial for both mums and babies both in the short term and long term, it helps to prevent infections and allergies and in later life reduces the risks of some cancers, diabetes and heart disease. Therefore the aim of the “Big Latch On” was to encourage feeding in public in a safe environment, to highlight the normality of breastfeeding.

If you would like to find out more about breastfeeding, infant feeding or the support that is available. Visit Yorbaby here you will also find an online antenatal class about breastfeeding. 

The new Nurture Group will commence on Tuesday 2 September at the Avenues Children's Centre, Tang Hall, York from 10am until 11.30am. For details of the other Nurture Group click here.

07 August 2014