02 August 2022
New parents in the Maternity Ward and in the community will receive homemade fruit boxes to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (Monday 1 to Sunday 7 August).
The theme this year is Step Up for Breastfeeding educate and support which aims to help more families learn about breastfeeding and support one another.
This initiative has been sponsored by Waitrose to help educate and support families around the importance of breastfeeding. Each fruit represents a baby’s tummy size over the first ten days of life and the importance of healthy eating.
Families are also invited to attend a free Breastfeeding Buddies event at 11:30am on Wednesday 3 August. The event takes place at Millennium Park and provides an opportunity for families to celebrate connection and community.
Infant Feeding Specialist and Community Midwife, Deborah McCoy, said: “A blueberry shows a new-born's tummy size on the day of their birth. Tummies quickly grow to the size of a cherry on day three or four and then an apricot on day ten. Babies grow quickly!
“We hope this gift teaches families that healthy eating is important for mums, as well as babies. Sowing the seeds of good early eating habits bears the good fruits of health improvement throughout the life course.
“Breastmilk helps protect babies from common infections such as tummy bugs, colds and flu, ear infections and COVID-19; diseases including diabetes and asthma; obesity and sudden infant death syndrome. New mums also benefit and get extra protection against breast and ovarian cancers, heart and blood vessel diseases, obesity, and osteoporosis (weak bones).”
Deputy Louise Doublet, Assistant Minister for Children and Education with responsibility for early years and families, said: “For breastfeeding to be successful every mother and child needs a network around them. This starts with the second parent, extended family, and health services, but workplaces, the wider community and government can all form a ‘warm chain of support’ for protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding.
“I encourage new mums, partners, and families to support and celebrate breastfeeding by joining us at Breastfeeding Buddies in Millennium Park on Wednesday.”
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