Brunch, music and even yoga have formed part of an innovative week of activities in South Tyneside designed to help new mums through the many challenges that can come through breastfeeding.
To mark World Breastfeeding Week, the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust has been working with the local council to run a series of events - and even a "Breastival" - to help support families in the borough. The South Tyneside Early Excellence Children's Centre in Hebburn hosted the festival, which features stalls, craft activities for kids and a wellness workshop - along with advice and resources from experts about breastfeeding.
The NHS Trust runs a range of breastfeeding support groups, and the event is important in helping to signpost new mums in the direction of the services available. An informal brunch will be held at the All Saints Children's Centre in Tyne Dock, South Shields, also to encourage people to seek support if they need it.
Read more: Newcastle GP hits out at health service pay and warns brain drain could see 'two-tier NHS'
Cheryl Rutherford, a community nursery nurse at the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust, said: "Breastfeeding groups give mams the chance to meet others, share experiences and know they are not alone. We are here to offer support and advice and help them to have a successful breast-feeding journey.
"[The week] gives us the chance to celebrate the support available and encourage them to come along to one of our groups. It’s been great to see mams come in, to help them and to see their confidence grow, because sometimes they come in and they’re quite shy, but they’re among friends and everyone always makes them feel welcome.”
Throughout the year, Cheryl and Gemma Maughan - an outreach worker at the council - run breastfeeding support group sessions at each children's centre between 11 and noon. They take place in Hebburn on Wednesday and Tyne Dock on Fridays.
Coun Anne Hetherington, is South Tyneside Council's health lead. She added: "These groups offer a really supportive environment and they’re very valued and that is evident from how many now join in. I would encourage people to pop into the groups and the events we have coming up to find out more about how important breastfeeding is for children to have the best start in life."
Coun Adam Ellison, who leads on children, young people and families, added that the groups provided a "vital network" for mums.
READ NEXT:
