Breastfeeding Flash Mob And More – Celebrate Breastfeeding Awareness Month

Wigan charity Breastfeeding Together has put together an exciting programme of events for Breastfeeding Awareness month in June.

Breastfeeding mums past, present and future, and supporters of breastfeeding including dads and grandparents, are encouraged to come along to the events across the Wigan borough.

Events include the annual flash mob at Wigan’s Grand Arcade, a picnic at Pennington Park in Leigh, an information stall in Spinning Gate shopping centre, and parties at all the local breastfeeding groups. There is also a grand prize raffle with prizes including play centre vouchers, mum and baby fitness classes, cinema vouchers and meals out.  Please see the attached timetable of events for more details and addresses for our events throughout the month.

Breastfeeding Together Project Manager, Elinor Halliwell says: “Breastfeeding can be difficult for new mums, especially for those without a knowledgeable support base. In the past, information and tips would have been passed down from mother to daughter and from aunties, sisters and friends. Because of the growth of the formula industry society has lost a lot of the knowledge mums need to succeed. That’s why peer support services like Breastfeeding Together are key to helping mums feel supported and giving them the tools they need to breastfeed.”

“We want to help breastfeeding mums – who are in the minority in Wigan – to feel part of a wider breastfeeding community and celebrate their success. Events like this are a great way to ensure all new mums and mums-to-be are aware of the support they can expect if they decide to breastfeed, and hopefully it will encourage more mums to realise the extensive benefits of breastmilk.”

 Why is breastfeeding important?

Breastfeeding reduces a baby’s risk of infections, with fewer visits to hospital as a result,diarrhoea and vomiting, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), childhood leukaemia, type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. For mums, breastfeeding reduces the rates of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis (weak bones), cardiovascular disease and obesity.

Breastfeeding rates across the UK are considerably lower than in other areas of the world. Around 80% of mums start out breastfeeding at birth but just 1 in 200 women are still breastfeeding their children after they reach their first birthday. The World Health Organization (WHO) babies are fed exclusively breast milk for six months, then say breastfeeding should form part of the baby’s diet up to two years and beyond.

About Breastfeeding Together

Breastfeeding Together is a not for profit organisation which was set up in 2014 by experienced Breastfeeding Peer Supporters with many years of experience of supporting mothers both in the antenatal and postnatal period. In November 2015, Breastfeeding Together became a Registered Charity no. 1164333.

The charity also signs up local businesses and organisations to its Breastfeeding Friendly Award scheme, which helps Breastfeeding mothers feel more confident about breastfeeding in public.

Breastfeeding Together’s mission is to improve rates through the Wigan Borough by supporting new mums. In addition to the breastfeeding support groups, the charity operates support on the ward at Wigan Hospital, runs an out of hours live chat service, and provides home visits within the community. Breastfeeding Peer Supporters and volunteers undergo a rigorous Level 2 training course so they can provide the most up to date information.

Contact Breastfeeding Together on 01942 777903 for further information on this and all other Breastfeeding support groups. Find us at www.breastfeedingtogether.co.uk.

For further information contact:

Elinor Halliwell, Project Manager, Breastfeeding Together

Breastfeeding Together

Wigan Investment Centre

Waterside Drive

Wigan

WN3 5BA

Telephone: 01942 777903

 

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