Banbridge helps celebrate National Breastfeeding Awareness Week

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT), along with Banbridge community midwives and local breastfeeding peer support mothers, hosted a celebration event on Wednesday 22 June to mark National Breastfeeding Awareness Week (NBAW) 2011.

A teddy bear’s picnic was held in Banbridge rugby club to highlight the work of the new breastfeeding peer support service operating across the SHSCT area. Peer support is mother-to-mother support given by women who have breastfed their own children and who, after specialised training, provide support to other women who also breastfeed.

The scheme was set up as a partnership between the PHA and the SHSCT in recognition of the need to provide community-based support after a mother has left hospital with her newborn, as for most women it can take some time before they feel confident with breastfeeding. Mothers and babies need time to practice while they learn about breastfeeding and it can be very helpful to have the support and encouragement of someone who knows about breastfeeding and babies and is trained to answer questions. For new mothers, this support can make a real difference.

Janet Calvert, Regional Breastfeeding Coordinator at the PHA said: “All mothers need information and support to be able to make informed choices about how they feed their babies and this should suit their individual needs and be available during pregnancy and after the baby is born. We all have our part to play in helping mothers give their children the best start. Support needs to come from within the health service, Sure Starts, local breastfeeding support groups, peer support volunteers, and of course from friends and family.

“All these initiatives and support from partners and family are vital to help expectant and new mothers stick with breastfeeding. The PHA continues to lead on this issue by working regionally and locally to provide information and support for expectant and new parents.”

Vera Kelso, Lead Midwife, Community Midwifery Services, SHSCT said: “I am delighted to be working in partnership with the PHA and community-based volunteers to provide a very valuable resource in assisting to promote and maintain breastfeeding in the community. Twenty six peer supporters are now providing support to mums from the Southern area in their own homes through telephone support, home visits and local support groups. Peer supporters are supervised by local community midwives who act as mentors to them and provide useful links to health visiting, Sure Start and other community-based support services.”

Peer support services are available in the form of telephone advice and, if necessary, a peer supporter can call and visit mothers in their home. Throughout the programme the peer supporters will receive regular mentoring and support from community midwives from the SHSCT.

For further information on the scheme, contact Orlaith Moley, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Senior Officer, PHA on (028) 3741 4640 or email orlaith.moley@hscni.net