Breast is best say Newport mums (From South Wales Argus)

Breast is best say Newport mums

5:40pm Sunday 7th February 2010 in News

MUMS in Newport are being encouraged and supported in breast feeding their children thanks to a new group.

Breast friends was set up by midwife Nicola Kilby and nursery nurses Fiona Punter and Lynne Smith.

It follows on from a course set up by the La Leche League which gives training for supporting new mothers.

Mrs Kilby, 44, has two children Charlotte, 12 and Olivia, nine, and said many women breast feed for the first two weeks and then give up.

While it is a personal choice how long you carry on for, she said women should, ideally, continue breast feeding for around a year.

She said: “We believe women should breast feed. They look pretty in a bikini, but essentially they are there to feed your baby. A lot find it hard and give up, but it is a skill and we want to encourage them to persevere.”

The group is applying to become a registered charity and has already trained nine people to act as breast friends. Another course is planned for April.

Those trained give advice, help widen support networks as well as working to encourage and promote breast feeding with midwifes and in hospitals.

Mrs Kilby added: “It is not seen as it was 60 or 70 years ago. If you are in a restaurant, why should a mother go to the toilet to feed her child?”

For a breast feeding support group near you, visit www.breastfeedingcommunity.co.uk.