2008 - B in the Park
Wednesday 14th May 2008, Strathclyde Country Park
Mums and babies turn out for “B in the Park”
Lanarkshire mums and babies were out in force at Strathclyde Park to highlight the fact that breastfeeding is a normal part of everyday life.
“B in the Park” was to celebrate National Breastfeeding Awareness Week and to promote the benefits to mother, baby and support new mums-to-be.
The event, which was organised by the Lanarkshire Breastfeeding Initiative and NHS Lanarkshire, was officially opened by celebrity mum and Unicef Ambassador Kaye Adams.
Kaye said, “Events like ‘B in the Park’ are so important to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding for babies and new mums. Most people know breastfeeding is best for the baby and the mum but it’s not always easy. That’s when it’s important to have people who will support you and tell you that it’s normal to struggle sometimes.”
National data reported last week shows that only 25% of babies in Lanarkshire are breastfed at 6 weeks compared with the Scottish average of 36%. Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from respiratory infections, gastrointestinal infections, ear and urinary infections in the first year of life and many other benefits last into adulthood.
In addition mothers who breastfeed are protected from breast cancer and this protection is enhanced if breastfeeding continues into the baby’s second year. Breastfeeding mothers are also less likely to have ovarian cancer and hip fractures in later life.
Kaye continued, “There may have been a low uptake of breastfeeding in Lanarkshire but thanks to the work of the NHS and health promotion events like this, things are changing. All the work and effort to encourage women in Lanarkshire to breastfeed means the positives far outweigh the negatives. Babies and mums have benefited from the work to promote breastfeeding so that’s why I feel it’s so important to do what I can to help.”
National Breastfeeding Awareness Week presents an opportunity to normalise the view of the breast and make breastfeeding a normal part of what babies and mums do and to highlight the short and long term health benefits.
Ken Corsar, chairman of NHS Lanarkshire, added, “Breastfeeding provides new babies with the best possible start in life and that’s why it’s so important to promote the advantages. Lanarkshire has had quite a low uptake of new mums who breastfeed. Although this is now improving we still have a lot of progress to make and so it’s important to continue promoting the benefits to both new babies and mothers.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about breastfeeding and support in Lanarkshire can telephone 01698 377655 or visit the website www.lanarkshirebreastfeeding.org.uk