HUDDERSFIELD’s first Baby Bistro has opened its doors in Golcar.
Mums, babies and health professionals came together at Golcar, Cowlersley and Milnsbridge Children’s Centre to celebrate the start of a new scheme aimed at offering breastfeeding support.
A team of breastfeeding peers will be running the bistro.
The peers are local mothers who have breastfed their own children and feel passionate about helping other women.
They have all completed a 10 week training course to help them give mums one-to-one support and help iron out any breastfeeding issues.
The scheme aims to help mums continue breastfeeding as long as possible.
Breastfeeding peer supporter Charlotte Keyworth, said: “I think the baby bistros are a great idea and I’m really excited about being involved.
“Breastfeeding can be pretty hard as a new mum and you never know whether what you’re doing it right or wrong.
“But these baby bistros will help because mums can get reassurance from people who have experienced what they’re going through.
“There isn’t any judgement here and it gives mums a chance to get together with their babies, share tips and encourage each other to continue breastfeeding.”
The scheme at the centre on Beech Avenue is the first to be introduced in Kirklees. It will be open every Tuesday between 9.30am and 11.30am.
A second bistro at Gomersal and Littletown Children’s Centre will also run every Wednesday between 11am and 1pm.
A further five are already being planned across the area in a bid to offer mums more support and boost breastfeeding rates.
The initiative – spearheaded by NHS Kirklees – comes as the primary care trust prepares to become among the first in the country to receive accreditation from UNICEF’s Baby Friendly Initiative.
Jayne Heley, baby friendly initiative co-ordinator for NHS Kirklees, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve now opened the first baby bistro but there are a lot more plans in the pipeline.
“We’ve just launched a guide to baby friendly venues in Huddersfield, are on track to open a further six baby bistros and are doing lots of work behind the scenes to train staff and improve services for new mums.”
The two bistros were launched to coincide with National Breastfeeding Awareness Week from May 10 to 16.
They come following the success of the Baby Cafe initiative which runs from the Sure Start Chestnut Centre, Deighton, every Monday.
For more information about breastfeeding call the helpline on 0844 2090920.
