Lanarkshire Breastfeeding Initiative (LBI) recently held its annual general meeting – an opportunity to showcase the work of the voluntary organisation, which aims to promote, protect and celebrate support for breastfeeding.

The venue for the meeting, South Wishaw Parish Church, is one of over 400 places across Lanarkshire which support breastfeeding families by offering a special welcome through membership of NHS Lanarkshire’s Breastfeeding Friendly Campaign.

Wishaw’s Aroma Coffee House, a local business which offers a special welcome for breastfeeding, supplied a delicious spread for a group of over 50 mums and babies, members of the community and representatives from NHS Lanarkshire, who gathered to celebrate support for breastfeeding in Lanarkshire.

Louise James, from the LBI, which has been implementing the Breastfeeding Friendly Campaign on behalf of NHS Lanarkshire, told the audience: “Breastfeeding is so important it’s protected by law. The Breastfeeding (Scotland) Act makes it an offence to prevent or stop a person in charge of a child feeding that child milk in a public place.

“As part of the campaign we’ve consulted almost 500 members of the public, including women who are pregnant or have recently had a child, on their awareness of the law and the existing campaign.

“As a result, this year we are increasing awareness of both by introducing the new Breastfeeding Welcome Award. Premises receive a Breastfeeding Welcome Award window sticker to display, so breastfeeding families know they can be assured of a very warm welcome.

“We will continue to host celebration events across Lanarkshire to promote this, which in the past have been supported by local breastfeeding families, the community, NHS Lanarkshire’s board and local MSPs.”

Among those who attended the event was NHS Lanarkshire non-executive board member Margaret Morris.

Margaret said: “Breastfeeding has long-term benefits for both mothers and babies.

“It protects mothers from hip fractures and some breast and ovarian cancers and, in babies, it greatly reduces the risk of diarrhoea and vomiting, chest infections and being hospitalised as a result. It also reduces the risk of obesity, allergies and developing type two diabetes and other illnesses later in life.”

Margaret was delighted to offer the health board’s support to the LBI and the Breastfeeding Welcome Award to ensure mothers are supported in their choice to breastfeed and mums and families are given the information they need to make informed decisions about infant feeding, to access help where they need it and to become confident in their choices.

Any organisation wishing to be recognised by the Breastfeeding Welcome Award or any individual who has an interest in supporting the LBI can visit their Facebook page – www.facebook.com/LanarkshireBreastfeedingInitiative