September 27, 2010 11.04 am This story is over 165 months old

Better breastfeeding advice for local mums

Baby advice: A new support group will encourage mothers to breast feed their babies instead of using formula milk.

New mothers in Lincoln wanting advice on breastfeeding can now seek support and guidance from NHS Lincolnshire, without leaving their homes.

In a bid to encourage breastfeeding, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust have trained Breastfeeding Peer Supporters, who can visit mums at home to give advice.

They will also be launching a breastfeeding support group, called Breast Start. The first one takes place on October 4 at St Giles Children’s Centre, 10.30am.

Breast Start will not only give advice to those with questions or are struggling to breast feed, but encourage mothers to breastfeed instead of bottle feed.

Breast milk is said to be the best source of nutrition for a baby in the first six months, as well as help babies fight early infections and diseases.

It is also thought that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer and weak bones later in life as well.

Chief organiser of Breast Start, Midwife Chris Harding said: “Breastfeeding offers so many benefits to babies and mothers that formula milk cannot.

“We want to raise awareness and provide extra support to new mothers able to breastfeed.”

“All new mothers and babies from across Lincolnshire are welcome to attend the launch in October. We hope to hold these meetings on a regular basis,” she added.

Source: ULHT | Photo: Christy Scherrer