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Public
urged to support breastfeeding
Despite
recent increases, Northern Ireland still has the lowest
uptake of breastfeeding in the UK. Research commissioned
by the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland indicates
that a lack of social acceptability for breastfeeding is
one of the main reasons that mums here resort to bottle
feeding.
This issue was highlighted today at the second Regional
Conference on Breastfeeding at the Armagh City Hotel. Janet
Calvert, Regional Breastfeeding Programme Coordinator at
the Health Promotion Agency, explained:
“Our research shows that while over half of mums here do start
off breastfeeding, very few continue past the first few weeks.
When mums encounter difficulties, quite often they choose
to stop breastfeeding because of a lack of support and the
sense that breastfeeding is still not considered to be acceptable.
“Many
mums want to make breastfeeding part of their daily lives
and routines, including discreetly
breastfeeding
in public, but unfortunately it is the negative attitudes
and embarrassment of family members and others that makes
it difficult to persevere. This is Breastfeeding Awareness
Week and we are urging families and the public to accept
the importance of breastfeeding and support our breastfeeding
mums.”
The conference was organised by the Health Promotion Agency
in association with the regional Breastfeeding Strategy Implementation
Group. Speakers emphasised the importance of giving babies
the best nutritional start in life to more than 200 health
professionals including midwives, health visitors, dietitians
and representatives of voluntary breastfeeding support groups.
Fresh
plans to reinforce the message that ‘breast
is best’ were also revealed at today’s conference.
Janet Calvert said:
“
We have launched new materials today to encourage breastfeeding
and these will be made available to mums-to-be and health
workers throughout Northern Ireland. Breastfeeding is an
individual’s choice but we want to make sure that mums
are making a fully informed decision. With these new materials
we aim to make sure that mums know about the many health
benefits that breastfeeding can offer both them and their
babies.”
Research shows that breastfeeding mums may have a lower risk
of certain cancers and a reduced risk of developing osteoporosis.
For babies, breastfeeding brings health benefits including
a reduction in illnesses such as chest, urinary and ear infections.
It also means they are less likely to develop childhood obesity
and diabetes.
National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, 11- 17 May 2003,
aims to raise awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding,
encourage social acceptance of breastfeeding and support
mothers who are breastfeeding their babies.
END
Notes
to editors:
- The second Regional Conference on Breastfeeding
was held at the Armagh City Hotel on Tuesday, 13 May 2003.
- The
Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland recently published
research on breastfeeding in Northern
Ireland entitled: Breastfeeding in Northern Ireland.
A summary report on knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.
- The
Breastfeeding Strategy Implementation Group is responsible
for overseeing implementation of the Breastfeeding
Strategy for Northern Ireland. The group is funded
by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public
Safety.
For
further information:
Contact
Jenny Dougan at the Health Promotion
Agency on 028 9031 1611.
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As from 1 April 2009 all Health Promotion Agency responsibilities have been transferred to the