NHS Wirral launch campaign to increase breastfeeding rates

Aug 4 2010 by Daniel Bentley, Heswall News

A BREASTFEEDING campaign has been launched in Merseyside to encourage mums to ditch the bottle.

Breastfeeding rates across the region are 25% lower than the national average – and health chiefs want to increase numbers.

The “Breast Milk, It’s Amazing” campaign has been launched by NHS Wirral in partnership with Liverpool PCT, NHS Sefton and NHS Knowsley.

Its aim is to help mothers who are keen to start breastfeeding and to promote its advantages over bottle feeding.

Only 53% of Wirral mums start to breastfeed their newborns, falling to 29% who continue after six to eight weeks.

Cathie Kelly, a 42-year-old mother-of-two, who has been a midwife for 20 years and is community outpatient matron at Arrowe Park Hospital, said: "I’ve spoken to mums who didn’t breastfeed and they felt like they missed out.

"Even if you’re unsure I would advise people to keep their minds open, as it’s a lovely experience.

“People also need to be aware that research has shown that breastfeeding can reduce breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and can reduce osteoporosis.