The Evening Times ran an article about figures in a new report showing that women from Lanarkshire experience higher-than-average rates of stillbirth and neonatal deaths than other parts of Scotland. The region recorded the second-highest rate in Scotland with 6.42 deaths per 1,000 births. However it is worth noting that the figure of 7,096 Lanarkshire resident […]
A celebration of breastfeeding
It was mum’s the word at a Lanarkshire shopping centre as mums, dads, grandparents, babies and staff from NHS Lanarkshire gathered to mark the launch of National Breastfeeding Celebration Week.
The event at the Regent Shopping Centre in Hamilton, organised by volunteers from Lanarkshire Breastfeeding Initiative (LBI), was an opportunity to come together and share what works well to support breastfeeding in local communities.
Nursing mums and members of the public from across Lanarkshire including Hamilton, Wishaw, Shotts, Coatbridge, Motherwell, and even beyond Lanarkshire, dropped by the LBI’s colourful information stall during the course of the event on 17 June.
The Regent Centre and many of the venues in and around Hamilton are some of almost 500 venues across Lanarkshire who have joined the Breastfeeding Welcome scheme.
The scheme, implemented on behalf of NHS Lanarkshire, recognises venues and organisations who offer a special welcome to nursing families. The event also provided a chance to showcase the LBI’s new Breastfeeding Welcome Award, coming to a venue near you soon.
NHS Lanarkshire acting infant feeding development midwife AnneMarie Bruce said: “Breastfeeding is so important that it’s protected by law. The Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 protects a child’s right to be breastfed. So it’s great to have the support of the Regent Shopping Centre to welcome families to come along to celebrate support for breastfeeding and to help people recognise it is a ‘normal’ experience that has long-term benefits for mothers and babies.”
Shotts mum Anne Wilson said she had received great support from Wishaw General’s Infant Feeding Service and the Breastfeeding Group at Wishaw’s Houldsworth Centre.
Anne, whose daughter, Mhairi, is six months, said: “It’s fantastic to go to a local breastfeeding support group and meet other nursing mums to get their help and advice.”
Lucy Youngson, from Wishaw, is another member of the Houldsworth support group and involved with the LBI.
Lucy, whose son Jacob is a year old, said: “They do brilliant work and it’s great to come to an event like this and have the chance to speak to the volunteers, professionals from NHS Lanarkshire and, of course, other mothers.”
Tammy Cahill a volunteer from the LBI, added: “The LBI’s aim is to promote how everyone in local communities can support mothers to breastfeed, whenever and wherever they are. It’s one example of the good work going in Lanarkshire to share ideas, inspire others and promote support available to women and their families.”
The Hamilton event is one of many across Lanarkshire organised to share breastfeeding support stories on social media or via the #celebratebreastfeeding during National Breastfeeding Celebration Week.
Follow the LBI on www.facebook.com/LanarkshireBreastfeedingInitiative for more information.
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