NHS Lanarkshire community mother volunteers used the recent Breastfeeding Awareness Week to promote a new welcome pack to be given to all new Hamilton and Blantyre mothers who attend a local breastfeeding support group.
As well as information on breastfeeding, the packs also include a list of breastfeeding friendly locations in the town.
Catina Hayward, a local breastfeeding support worker, said: “The welcome packs are based on the findings of a review of breastfeeding support groups across Lanarkshire.
“We wanted to standardise the information we gave to new mums across Lanarkshire and also give them some breastfeeding support information which they could take away with them.
“They are specific to each area and we have one for mums in Hamilton and Blantyre.”
Catina continued: “They will be given to new mums who attend one of our breastfeeding support groups in Hamilton and Blantyre.
“These groups provide a warm and welcoming environment where women are supported to breastfeed their baby.
“They also offer information, advice and encouragement to all women and their families, to support the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding.”
Breastfeeding awareness week is used to raise awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding, increase social acceptance of it and promote the support available for breastfeeding, in particular increasing women’s confidence to breastfeed.
Among the events which took place in Hamilton was a buggy walk in Strathclyde Park where around 20 mums and their babies turned out.
Hamilton has two Breastfeeding Support Groups.
They are held in:
- Whitehill Neighbourhood Centre - Thursdays 10am - noon
- Fairhill Lifestyle Centre, Neilsland Rd - Wednesdays 1pm - 3pm
The Blantyre group is held in:
- Miners Welfare Resource Centre, - Wednesday 1pm - 2.30pm Calder Street
For more information on these contact Catina Hayward on 01698 884731.