Breast is best

7:35am Friday 16th May 2008

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MIDWIVES based at Yeovil District Hospital are supporting breast-feeding awareness week by sending out the message breast is best'.

Yeovil Women's Hospital maternity unit received a top score in the Healthcare Commission review earlier this year.

Staff are now working hard to achieve the UNICEF Baby Friendly Status accreditation. The initiative, set up by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, is a global programme which provides a practical and effective way for health services to improve the care provided for all mothers and babies.

In the UK, the initiative works with health professionals to ensure that mothers and babies receive high quality support to enable successful breastfeeding.

Currently around 74 per cent of mums who give birth in the Yeovil area breastfeed their baby - but hospital midwives are aiming to increase that number.

Head of midwifery, Neil Tomlin, said: "Breastfeeding gives babies the best start in life as breastmilk gives babies all the nutrients they need for the first six months of life and helps protect them from infection.

"It also reduces mothers' chances of getting certain diseases later in life."

Three groups are currently providing weekly breastfeeding support for mothers in the Yeovil area.

They are held on Tuesdays at 2pm at the Westend Community Hall in Sherborne and the Balsam Centre Café in Wincanton and at 1.30pm on Wednesdays at the Martock Christian Fellowship Rooms.

Breastfeeding workshops are also offered as part of the antenatal parenthood preparation classes both at the hospital and in children's centres. Anyone interested in attending any of these sessions should ask their midwife.

Representatives and users of Reckleford Children's Centre and Oaklands Children Centre were also promoting the message yesterday when they walked through Yeovil asking cafes and restaurants to display breast feeding friendly establishments.