Breastfeeding advice offered at event

BREASTFEEDING women and mums-to-be will be given all the help, advice and support they need at a special event taking place to mark national breastfeeding awareness week.

BREASTFEEDING women and mums-to-be will be given all the help, advice and support they need at a special event taking place to mark national breastfeeding awareness week.

On Tuesday NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney's breastfeeding team will be spreading the breastfeeding message to parents in Great Yarmouth from an eye-catching yellow marquee set up in the market place.

During the event, which runs from 10am to 3pm, the team will be offering help and advice to mums who are already breastfeeding or are thinking about starting.

As well as highlighting the health benefits which breastfeeding brings, they will also be signposting people to sources of further help and advice, such as the popular baby cafes which are held across Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Margaret Holtz, breastfeeding team lead with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “We hope that this roadshow will help raise awareness of the health benefits which breastfeeding can bring to both mum and baby.

“Specially trained staff will be on hand to give expert advice to anyone who is already breastfeeding or is interested in doing so, and we'd encourage any new parents or parents-to-be to drop by and have a chat.”

Research into the health benefits of choosing breast over formula milk shows that breastfed babies are less likely to become overweight or obese or suffer from allergies, infections, asthma and eczema. Mums who breastfeed are also less likely to get cancer or brittle bones later in life, and find it easier to return to their pre-pregnancy weight more quickly.

Anyone who wants help or advice is welcome to drop into next week's event, or can alternatively contact the breastfeeding team on 01493 852209.