Respect Yourself supports World Breastfeeding week
Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign is reminding young mothers about some of the benefits of feeding their baby naturally, as part of World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August).
The annual celebration – organised by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) - runs in more than 120 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.
This year, the theme of the campaign is “Breastfeeding – a vital emergency response. Are you ready?” and highlights the need to ‘protect, promote and support breast-feeding in emergencies for infant and young child survival, health and development’.
With that in mind, Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign (run by Warwickshire County Council) is helping to ensure the right information and support is available locally for young mothers who may decide to feed their newborn naturally.
Countywide, midwives and health visitors offer young mothers support and there are also breastfeeding advice and support groups in many Children’s Centres.
Antenatal classes dedicated to young parents called the Preparing Young Parents Scheme (PYPS) run in Nuneaton and Bedworth, and explore the benefits of breastfeeding – as well as tackling any negative perceptions.
Kathy Siddle, Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign co-ordinator, said: “Just like older mums, young mums need a lot of support with their newborn baby. We want to ensure that, when it comes to feeding, they get everything they need to make an informed decision that is right for them and their baby – whether that’s breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
“It is really important that young mums attend antenatal classes and that midwives and health visitors provide extra support if the young mum wants to breastfeed.
“Equally we would welcome more breastfeeding advice and support groups dedicated to young mums, as they are more likely to attend and continue to attend if they are with their peers. At the end of the day our aim is to ensure that the young mum and their baby have the best start together.”
For more information about breastfeeding, visit http://www.warwickshire.nhs.uk.