Breastfeeding mums at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) have praised the support they receive at weekly drop-in sessions as World Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2024 is being celebrated.
UHMBT runs regular breastfeeding drop-in sessions at Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Kendal West Children’s Centre and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI) where parents can benefit from valuable support, advice and information. World Breastfeeding Awareness Week, which started on Thursday 1 August and runs until Wednesday 7 August, is being backed by UHMBT.
The theme of World Breastfeeding Week is ‘Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support For All’. Many improvements have been made in the last decade with breastfeeding increasing by 10% to 48% globally. However, with a target of 70% by 2030, more awareness needs to be raised and more barriers need to be removed. Breastfeeding is key to a child’s development, protecting them from infections, boosting their immune system and providing them with key nutrients.
Kath Kennedy, Infant Feeding Support Worker for UHMBT, and Wendy Thompson, Infant Feeding Midwife Lead for UHMBT, who run the popular drop-in sessions, said the awareness week was a great opportunity to share the many benefits of breastfeeding.
At one of the drop-in sessions at the RLI, breastfeeding mums said the group was a great place to meet others, share mutual support and learn from each other. First-time mums in particular said the friendship, support and skills they gained were invaluable.
Kath, who started her career at a hospital in Manchester moved back to the South Lakes area when her twins were born, started work at WGH in 1996, and is a passionate advocate for breastfeeding.
Kath said: “I love chatting with the mums at the drop-in sessions and we build up a good relationship, which is really nice."
“I like to help mums solve any problems they might be having and achieving their breastfeeding goals; it’s very rewarding knowing you have been able to help someone.
“When you are breastfeeding it really matters that you get the right support – the earlier, the better. I visit antenatal clinics to talk with people about the benefits of breastfeeding and how to get this off to a good start. We have received very positive feedback.
“Breastfeeding has been my passion for many years due to the midwife who delivered my twins. I wasn’t sure if I was going to breastfeed, as my twins were premature, but the midwife gave me vital knowledge that encouraged me and I was able to express milk to encourage my supply, which enabled me to offer breastmilk exclusively which was the best to offer my babies.”
Wendy, who trained as a Midwife in 1987 and qualified in 1989, said: “Promoting the benefits of breastfeeding has always been my passion.
“There is a lovely atmosphere in our drop-in groups and the mums are very happy to get the support. When you are a new mum, it can be a challenge just to get out of the house. This is somewhere they can come and meet other parents and have Kath’s amazing support.
“We also let parents know about all the other organisations that offer support such as the National Childbirth Trust, Action for Children, Family Action and the Association of Breastfeeding mothers.
“Breastfeeding has so many benefits for babies and mums. It protects babies from cancer such as childhood leukaemia, and it helps prevent cot death. As it boosts the immune system, it also protects mum and baby from infection. There is a lot of research to back this up. The Lancet published a paper which showed that 820,000 lives could be saved each year if we increased our breastfeeding rates. The Lancet highlighted the fact that infants and young children are most likely to survive, grow and develop to their full potential when breastfed.
“Breastfeeding isn’t just about the baby having breast milk – it’s about the bond that is formed and the relationship between mother/partner and baby. We talk with mums before the baby is born to share the benefits of Skin to Skin and breastfeeding. It helps to be prepared in advance. Breastfeeding can be challenging for mums, but if they are able to breastfeed, it is one of the best ways to ensure their baby’s future health and development.
“We recommend breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life and then to start bringing in solids. We are trying to increase the breastfeeding rates at our Trust and are proud to be implementing the national ‘Baby Friendly Initiative’ in partnership with UNICEF.”
The UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative enables public services to better support families with feeding and developing close and loving relationships so that all babies get the best possible start in life.
In 2023, 67% of mums who gave birth at UHMBT breastfed within the first 48 hours, and Kath and Wendy are always working hard to increase that figure due to the innumerable benefits for mums and babies.
The breastfeeding drop-in sessions are held at the RLI, FGH and Kendal West Children’s Centre. For more information for families about the drop-in sessions, contact: kath.kennedy@mbht.nhs.uk
For eny media enquiries about this press release, email: communications.team@mbht.nhs.uk