What is National Breastfeeding Awareness Week?

National Breastfeeding Awareness Week is co-ordinated by the Department of Health annually. Its primary aim is to promote the benefits of breastfeeding and encourage more mums to give it a go. This year, the awareness campaign has focussed on the importance of family support during breastfeeding.

Research commissioned by The Department Of  Health has revealed that, despite popular belief, the majority of men are supportive of breastfeeding, with 79 per cent of those surveyed saying that they would want their children to be breastfed.

Courteney Cox-Arquette has spoken in favour of the campaign. She says, "Breastfeeding is undoubtedly the best thing you can do for your baby. It took a lot of persevering through the early weeks because my daughter did not latch on properly, and, honestly, it really hurt. But I am so happy I stayed with it because not only do I have a special bond with my child, but it's so easy now and she is extremely healthy."

What Are The Benefits Of Breastfeeding?

The decision to breastfeed can make a huge contribution to infant health and development as well as benefiting mums. Breastfeeding is often depicted or described as something exclusively for mother and baby, but this is not the case. The more support and encouragement a new mum has the more likely she is to give it a go.

There are many benefits to breastfeeding:-

• Breast milk provides all the nutrients that your baby needs for the first six months.
• Breast fed babies have a lower risk of gastro-enteritis, respiratory, urinary tract and ear infections, eczema and childhood diabetes.
• Breast feeding mums have a lower risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer and breastfeeding also helps the womb return to normal.
• Breast milk is always available and at the right temperature.
• Breast feeding saves £450 a year in formula costs
• Breastfeeding helps develop a strong emotional bond with your child.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to be obese as adults.
• Women who breastfeed regain their figures sooner than women who bottle feed. Making breast milk burns around five hundred calories a day

Dr Anthony William, Senior Lecturer and Consultant in neonatal paediatrics at St George's Hospital Medical School, London, says "Breastfeeding for three months or more reduces a baby's chances of catching diarrhoea, chest and ear infections. It may also reduce the risk of later eczema, obesity and diabetes for the child. Breastfeeding may also reduce the risk of a mother acquiring breast cancer before the menopause.

"There is additional evidence to suggest that breastfeeding leads to a reduction in blood pressure at school age and an improvement of IQ levels, especially when babies are born prematurely. This is a very positive and exciting development for the health of future generations. Breastfeeding gives a baby the best start possible and helps to set down a pattern of good health for life."

What Does “Supported Breast Feeding Actually Entail?”

• Request a few hours' extra help at home in the early days. This will enable you to spend time getting breastfeeding right.
• If your breasts are swollen and painful milk may not flow effectively. Get help to check the position of the baby while feeding
• Make breastfeeding special for all the family, especially older brothers or sisters.  Let them have a drink or snack while the baby is being fed or use this time to tell stories and learn about one another’s day.
• Store expressed milk in the back of the fridge (where it's coldest) for 24 hours, or in the freezer for up to three months to enable other family members to share the baby feeding experience.