Breastfeeding champions in Melton celebrate their graduation

The 10 ladies, who are all members of the Breast Friends group, have taken the number of peer

supporters who are active in the Melton area up to 25.

Following a rigorous 14-week training course - which covers everything from how to latch a baby on to the breast to the emotional impact that breastfeeding can have on women – the peer supporters are able to provide valuable support to other new mums. This might mean speaking at ante-natal workshops, running local support groups or giving on-the-spot advice via phone and social media.

All of graduates have also had to overcome their own issues relating to breastfeeding, with the range of their experiences making them ideally placed to offer practical help and advice.

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust marked the ladies’ graduation with a special celebration event at The Edge Children’s Centre in Melton.

Carole Fishwick, the trust’s infant feeding lead, thanked current and new peer supporters for their hard work.

She said: “Breastfeeding rates in Melton are steadily increasing. Over the last seven years, the number of mums still breastfeeding at the six-week check has risen by 10 per cent to 50 per cent, and I think our peer supporters have played a significant part in that success.

“I’m really proud of the commitment shown by all our volunteer peer supporters in Melton, and am delighted that they have chosen to help our health visiting teams to support new families in this way, because we know that breast milk is the best nutrition that you can give to your baby.”

The Melton Breast Friends group can be contacted via their Facebook page. They hold a breastfeeding cafe at The Edge, on Dalby Road, on Thursdays from noon until 1.30pm.

For more information about breastfeeding and bottle feeding you can visit www.leicspart.nhs.uk/infantfeeding