A new mum and health care staff are encouraging more Inverclyde mums to take up breastfeeding.

The appeal comes during Scottish Breastfeeding Week 2023 (5-11 June), which aims to raise awareness of breastfeeding and its many benefits for mothers and babies.

Local mum Nicola Mulholland and eight-week-old daughter Maisie joined Inverclyde midwives and the infant feeding team at the striking breastfeeding mural in Greenock Town Centre to highlight the campaign.

Nicola, who is 29 and from Greenock, said: “I didn’t grow up with breastfeeding. I was thinking about trying it but didn’t know how I would get on because I’d heard stories about people not taking to it.

“It was hard to start with but as soon as we got home it was fine.

“We’ve had lots of support from the local breastfeeding support group. My husband and family have also been very supportive.

“One of the main benefits for me has been being able to connect more to my baby and it’s a lot more practical.”

Breastfeeding rates in Inverclyde are low compared with the rest of Scotland but work is underway to try and improve uptake, including through initiatives such as antenatal education, immediate postnatal support, the breastfeeding mural, breastfeeding support group, and engagement with local businesses to increase the number of breastfeeding friendly premises.

Catriona MacLean, infant feeding coordinator for Inverclyde, said: “Inverclyde rates of breastfeeding are improving and mums tell us that the help and support they have had from midwives, the infant feeding support team, new mum companions, and in particular the support from partners and family has made their breastfeeding journey easier and therefore increased their likelihood to succeed.

“The Inverclyde infant feeding team has a unique project where all antenatal mums can call for either one-to-one or group information, including practical tips about breastfeeding and/or postnatal support within the first six weeks.”

The breastfeeding mural in Greenock was completed in February 2022 by renowned, international artist Sam Bates, aka Smug.

The mural was a collaborative project between the Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Infant Feeding Team and funded by the Scottish Government with support from Oak Tree Housing Association, which owns the building.

Councillor Francesca Brennan, the convener of Inverclyde Council’s social work and social care scrutiny panel, said: “Our local health and care staff are doing fantastic work across Inverclyde to promote breastfeeding and make it as easy as possible for mums to succeed in feeding their babies in this natural and hugely beneficial way.

“Help is at hand for any mums or expectant mums out there who want to find out more about breastfeeding and to access all the information and support they need and I encourage them to contact the local infant feeding team or speak to their midwife about how to get involved.”

Benefits of breastfeeding

• Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-third during the second year of life.
• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of acute infections such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, ear infection, Haemophilus influenzae, meningitis, and urinary tract infection.
• It also protects against chronic conditions in the future such as type I diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.
• Breastfeeding during infancy is associated with lower mean blood pressure and total serum cholesterol.
• Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese, and are less prone to Type 2 diabetes during adolescence and adult life.
• Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Scheme

Many businesses in Inverclyde support breastfeeding and now display a Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Logo. There is also legislation in place to protect mums when feeding out and about. There is an interactive map for businesses that have already signed up for the scheme at Interactive map. Any business wishing to register or find out more can email Catriona.maclean@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Breastfeeding support in Inverclyde

Inverclyde Infant feeding team has a unique project where all antenatal mums can call for either one-to-one or group information including practical tips about breastfeeding and/or postnatal support within the first 6 weeks.

This project is part-funded by the Scottish Government and it aims to support mums and families to breastfeed for as long as they wish. Antenatal or postnatal families can call 07773 086 609 and one of the team will be in touch.

The infant feeding team also runs a breastfeeding group at The Waterwheel restaurant in Port Glasgow every Tuesday from 11am to 12.30pm for all ages of breastfed babies. For more information about the group visit www.facebook.com/BreastfeedingFriendlyInverclyde

Parent Club Scotland also has useful information about how dads can support their partners. Breastfeeding support from dads and partners | Parent Club