Mama Feelsgood

Fresh efforts are being made in Somerset to encourage more mothers to breastfeed their babies. More antenatal classes and support groups will be set up as well as the roll-out of peer support networks.

Breastfeeding rates in Somerset are already higher than the national average where 49.6 per cent of women in Somerset breastfeed.

That figure is equivalent to 5,378 women.

‘Lots of advantages’

However, young women from more disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to take it up.

Louise Stickland, infant feeding specialist for the NHS in Somerset, said: “Generally the younger the mother is, the earlier she left school, that’s the mother who’s less likely to breastfeed, often because she’s got family around.

“They want to look after the baby and feed the baby. She also may never have seen a baby being breastfed and it’s actually quite alien for people.”

‘Bit nervous’

Louise’s role is to find ways of encouraging young mums to try it for themselves.

“It’s very important for infants’ health to breastfeed, it’s one of the best things that mothers can do for their child is to breastfeed because there are lots of advantages.

“Babies are less likely to get allergies, infections, less likely to get dental decay, less likely be obese and generally to be much healthier,” she said.

More antenatal classes are planned during evenings rather than during the day.

The idea is that partners and family members can attend more easily to learn about the benefits of breastfeeding.

‘Special training’

A peer support system which has worked successfully in Bridgwater and Yeovil will also be rolled out across the rest of Somerset.

“Mums who have breastfed themselves have special training that we put on and they can then help mums and encourage them to continue breastfeeding.

“If we’ve got a mother who wants to go along to a group, but is a bit nervous about doing so, we can ask a peer supporter who probably lives in the same area to perhaps meet that mum and befriend her and take her along to a group.

“A 16-year-old mum would much rather meet another 16 or 17-year-old mum for help than probably a much older health professional.”

Mental health

The peer supporter would only be there for support rather than a source for medical advice, which would be left to health professionals.

“It’s a deterrent for some mums when they go into town or out in a public place, where they can breastfed. They just don’t feel comfortable when they are breastfeeding, certainly for the first time when they go out.

“Peer supporters can advise mums on where it’s best to go; they can advise them on where to buy suitable bras; where they can go and relax and change their baby.”

The NHS says if every baby born in Britain was breastfed for three months it could save £50m and health professionals say there are also advantages for mums.

“It’s better for their mental health, they get less post-natal depression because they’re really satisfied and feel they’ve done the best for their babies,” said Louise.

“They’re less likely to get ovarian and breast cancer and later in life if they continue to breastfeed beyond six months, they’re less likely to get osteoporosis because calcium is put back in their bones.”

As Featured in the Lincolnshire Echo

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Proud mums in Lincolnshire are posing for a new calendar to promote breast feeding in public.

The women are taking a leaf from the success of the Yorkshire WI Calendar Girls to get their message across, but with one crucial difference.

These ladies are keeping their breasts out of view when they go in front of the camera.

The mums are being photographed breast feeding in various public settings – without flashing the flesh.

They want to prove that breast feeding in social settings can be achieved without embarrassment either for mum or onlookers.

They also hope their efforts will encourage more women to try breast feeding.

The mums are members of the Breast Start club, based at Lincoln’s Sure Start centre in St Andrew’s Close.

The club was set up to offer support and advice to nursing mums.

Many members have received formal training from national support group La Leche League.

Joleen Bromfield (27), mum to 22-month-old Layla, said she hoped the calendar would raise the profile of breast feeding.

“So many mums choose not to feed or give up early on,” she said.

“But we are just a group of normal women who want to show that it is possible to feed easily.

“Some women are put off by the thought of feeding in public but we hope the calendar will prove that you don’t have to have lots of flesh on show and you can feed your child without anyone else seeing anything.”

The photographs in the calendar will be taken in public places around Lincoln.

Women will be shown feeding in parks, cafes and park benches.”

Of course our breastfeeding tops can help nursing mums feel more at ease whilst breastfeeding in public as your tummy isn’t on show and it helps provide some privacy from flashing you boobies to the world!

As we are a Brsitol based company i found this on the net and thought it might be of some use to you guys.

This list has been made by the local NCT group in Bristol.

BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY PLACES IN BRISTOL

A welcome for breastfeeding mothers and their babies can

be found at all the places listed below.

All health centres, baby clinics, Children’s Centres and

libraries in Bristol also welcome breastfeeding mothers.

This list was compiled by breastfeeding mothers from the NCT and local breastfeeding groups. If you wish to add to this list, or would like to give some feedback, please phone a member of the Bristol Breastfeeding Team at Bristol PCT public health department on 9002274. This list can also be found at: www.avon.nhs.uk/kris/docs/breastfeeding

If you need this document in a different format please contact the Breastfeeding Team on 9002274.

Kat Breastfeeding Tee

Sometimes to go out of the comfort of your own home and have to breastfeed can be a daunting task, especially if it’s your first time. But what can you do, i mean your baby has to eat and you can’t be a hermit the entire time you breastfeed!!!!! So i found a super cool website that can give a little bit of advice:

Click Here for abit of advice.

But remember girls our breastfeeding tops or as some like to call them nursing tops   are such a benefit for nursing in public.

• Because of the double layer design of the nursing top there is NO TUMMY EXPOSURE !
• Easy to feed from either side as the nursing top is designed to feed from either left or right
• No buttons / zips/ poppers or hideous things like that. Just pull up and feed
• All our breastfeeding tops look like regular tops so you don’t have to stand out
• No need for carrying muslin squares of fabrc to cover up around with you, just put your top on and go.

Seriously all our nursing shirts are really well made and hard wearing. They look super cool and i wear one and i don’t even breastfeed anymore. Check one out today ! www.mamafeelsgood.com

Mama Feelsgood- Home Of Quality Nursing Tops

Wow Charlotte Church is helping the Welsh Assembly Government promote their new DVD about the benefits of breastfeeding. They aim to distribute a DVD to all new mothers in Wales to help spread the message of how good breastfeeding you baby can be for both baby and mother. To quote “Charlotte Church is a fantastic example of a young mother deciding that breast really is best and we hope that she will serve as a role model to her many thousands of female fans”

We love Charlotte Church, she’s super talented but yet still so down to earth, Charlotte Mama Feelsgood store is always open to you!  Charlotte would lok fabulous in our Princess breastfeeding top or maybe our “homegrown Melons” breastfeeding tops might be better!

MAMA FEELSGOOD  Home of funky maternity Tees and Breastfeeding Tops