5 May 2009
Midwives from Epsom and St Helier hospitals will be hitting the streets next week to spread the word about the benefits of breastfeeding.
As part of national Breastfeeding Awareness Week (10 to 16 May), the Trust's breastfeeding experts along with the National Childcare Trust, health visitors and the La Leche League will be hosting road shows in Sutton and Epsom. The team hope to increase awareness of the benefits that breastfeeding brings and the support that hospitals can offer new mums to help them to breastfeed.
Infant Feeding Advisor for the Trust, Sue Taylor said: "Breastfeeding your baby gives them the best possible start in life, and can help to protect both mother and child from a host of infections. Breast milk gives babies all the nutrients they need for the first six months of life and helps protect them from infection and diseases. It also reduces the mothers' chances of getting certain diseases later in life, including both ovarian and breast cancer.
"Breastfeeding allows you and your baby to get closer, both physically and emotionally. So while your child is feeding, the bond between you can grow stronger - the list of benefits is huge! Also, women who breastfeed return to their pre-pregnancy figure faster.
"We know that some people can sometimes struggle to breastfeed their babies, and that's why we're getting out there to spread the word and offer help and advice wherever we can."
The Trust's midwives will be at the following venues:
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Tuesday 12 May from 8.30am - 4.30pm, outside Mothercare in St Nicholas' Shopping Centre, Sutton
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Wednesday 13 May from 8.30am - 4.30pm in the Ashley Shopping Mall in Epsom
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Thursday 14 May from 1pm-3pm at the Tweedale Children's Centre in Carshalton for a tea party with a raffle and prize draw.
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An information board will also be outside the pharmacy in Epsom Hospital all week.
Sue adds: "It's natural to have questions or need some extra support to breastfeed successfully. Women can speak to their midwife, health visitor or GP. Alternatively, they can call the National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 1000 212."
Breastfeeding helps protect babies against:
Breastfeeding helps protect mothers against:
