Breastfeeding: a winning goal for life!

World Breastfeeding Week runs from 1-7 August and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting how new mums can really benefit from the support of other mothers who have breastfed.

The theme of this year’s world breastfeeding week is ‘Breastfeeding: A winning goal – for life’ and aims to highlight the importance of increasing and sustaining the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding.

Janet Calvert, Regional Breastfeeding Lead at the PHA, said: “Breastfeeding has important benefits to the health and wellbeing of both mothers and babies. Despite increased awareness of the importance of breastfeeding, Northern Ireland has the lowest breastfeeding rates in UK and one of the lowest in Europe – 64% of mothers start breastfeeding compared with 81% in the rest of the UK, but by the time the baby is six weeks of age this reduces to 33% in Northern Ireland, compared with 55% in the rest of the UK.”

In order to increase our low breastfeeding rates, the PHA is promoting mother-to-mother support which involves Breastfeeding Peer Supporter volunteers. These volunteers are women who have breastfed their own children and have completed a training programme to help them support others. New mothers are encouraged to obtain support from volunteers as this can help build confidence in breastfeeding.

Janet continued: “This type of support can be particularly helpful if family members and friends have not experienced breastfeeding. Early challenges can include getting started, concerns about milk supply, pain and discomfort, and feeding in the presence of others. Support from someone who has been there and ‘got the t-shirt’ can make a difference and can provide the reassurance needed to keep going.”

Details of local breastfeeding peer support can be obtained from midwives and health visitors.

Mother-to-mother support is also available from local breastfeeding groups. A list of over 70 groups can be seen at www.breastfedbabies.org. These groups are attended by new and experienced mothers.

Research shows that breastfeeding is a winning goal for both baby and mother. Breastfed babies statistically tend to be healthier than bottle-fed babies and have a generally lower risk of ear, chest, stomach, kidney and urinary infections. They also have a lower risk overall of allergies, diabetes, obesity, childhood cancer and sudden infant death (cot death).

Mums who breastfeed are at a statistically lower risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis (brittle bones).