Spotlight on Astley group.

Posted on By BFT

Since the sun out and spring is here, we figure it’s about time to get out and about!

As you may know we at BfT run breastfeeding groups across the borough- these are great places to come to access continued support, but you don’t need to have a problem to come along- it’s a great way to meet and chat with like minded people.

Every so often we put a spotlight on one of our groups and this spring its the turn of our Astley group. This group runs in the clinic building at Dam House- it’s a really lovely spot and a trip to group can be combined with a walk around the lake and a brew in the tea rooms.

This group has access to both peer supporters and health visitors, meaning that babies can also be weighed on request by one of the health visiting team most weeks.

We have a series of events running here over the next few weeks, starting with mothers day keepsake cards this friday. We’d love to see some of you there, so please come along and join us!

Every Friday 10-11.30 @ Dam House Clinic

New Breastfeeding Support Group Gets Off To A Flying Start

Posted on By Admin

Volunteers from charity Breastfeeding Together have set up a new support group to help breastfeeding mums in the Golborne/Lowton area. The group has been open for two weeks but has already seen good attendance levels.

Breastfeeding Together Volunteers Francesca Lowe and Laura Thompson set up the group after seeing the need for support in their local community.

The group is located at Treetops Play and Party Cafe in Golborne and is open to breastfeeding mums looking for a way to connect with other parents, and antenatal mums seeking information.

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. Treetops signed up to the scheme in February, welcoming any mum who wishes to breastfeed in the play centre.

Breastfeeding Together Project Manager, Elinor Halliwell said: “Breastfeeding can be really tough in the early days, and new mums can find it very difficult without a good support base. Groups like this are key to helping mums connect and share experiences, while feeling supported and giving them the confidence to feed in public.”

“If you’re a breastfeeding mum, we’d love to meet you at our new group at Treetops, as well as any of our other groups across the Wigan borough.”

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 Organisation (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.

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.

Breastfeeding Together’s support group at Treetops runs every Tuesday in term time from 12-2pm. It is free for mums with babies under 1, and a reduced rate of £2.75 for older children who wish to use the play equipment. There is an extensive menu, including gluten free options, available for mums who want to have lunch or tea/coffee at the venue.

Contact Breastfeeding Together on 01942 777903 for further information on this and all other Breastfeeding support groups.

For further information contact:

Breastfeeding Together

Wigan Investment Centre

Waterside Drive

Wigan

WN3 5BA

Telephone: 01942 777903