A Bellsmyre mum says she would have “given up” breastfeeding if it wasn’t for the support of a local support and advice group.
Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland (BFS) is a national scheme which runs the breastfeeding support group in Dumbarton Library every Tuesday from 1pm to 3pm, alongside the one in Clydebank Library.
Claire Hutchison, 35, has used the breastfeeding support group for just over six years after the birth of her eldest child, Cillian.
The mother of four has leaned on the group for support and advice on breastfeeding with every child.
However, she wasn’t able to bring her third child, Darragh, to the group due to covid restrictions.
DON'T MISS:Mum accused of 'child neglect' after sharing picture of daughter's bedroom
Renfrewshire education chiefs issue advice as Strep A infection detected in schools
This Morning star gives birth to baby girl with sweet name as ITV colleagues congratulate her
Claire has admitted that despite having attended the group with her previous two children, she struggled to breastfeed Darragh.
She said: “I really struggled with my third one, and if it had been my first one, I don’t know if I could have kept
going.
“I didn’t have the same support that I had with the other two because it was during restrictions. I think it showed me how vital this group was.
“I was able to call up for support. It wasn’t the same, but without even that, I think I would have given up.
“Even today, after coming for years, I am getting tips on stuff like reflux.”
Another mum added: “I am a nurse myself, but I could have easily given up when I first came home from the hospital but having the additional breastfeeding service changed everything for us.”
The group was attended by 17 mothers in the first week back, with nine attending last week.
Breastfeeding project lead for West Dunbartonshire Debbie Banks and health improvement practitioner for child and maternal health for the area Laura Downie have spoken on how encouraged they are by the number of mums attending the support group.
Debbie said: “The number of mums attending the group is really encouraging, even more so the fact that different mums are attending constantly. It shows that there is a larger number of breastfeeding mums in West Dunbartonshire than we know.”
Laura added: “We need to normalise breastfeeding. Roughly 80 percent of breastfeeding mums stop before they want to, and that’s what we are trying to stop.
“We are here to support them, so they can breastfeed for as long as they want to. From peer support to professional advice, the group ensures mothers won’t be isolated.”
You can find out more about the group on the NHSGGC Breastfeeding Friendly West Dunbartonshire Facebook page or by emailing laura.downie@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.
READ MORE: Scots killers who stabbed friend in the heart over midget jibe jailed for 27 years
