Huddersfield becomes a breastfeeding-friendly town

May 12 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Jayne said: “It’s difficult to get a true picture as we are still collating the figures. But we know that of those women who initiate breastfeeding, at least half will have stopped by six to eight weeks.

“So focusing on the duration of breastfeeding is something we are committed to.”

And to help women continue breastfeeding, a new network of mums has been set up to offer guidance and support.

The service – called Baby Bistro – is designed to run alongside the long-established Baby Cafe, made up of health professionals.

Nine peer volunteers have just been trained to provide one-to-one contact with mums, to help iron out any breastfeeding issues.

The group will operate from the Golcar, Cowlersley and Milnsbridge Children’s Centre every Tuesday from 9.30 to 11.30am, from today.

A new guide on breastfeeding-friendly places has also been created. NHS Kirklees teamed up with town centre retailers to produce the guide.

It is designed to support new mums to breastfeed by offering them comfortable and welcoming places to go.

lA Breastfeeding Bonanza continues at the Packhorse Centre every day until Friday between 10am and 4pm. Leaflets, information, demonstrations and freebies will be on offer as well as advice from a range of breastfeeding specialists.