Breastfeed with pride says NCT

Released on 10/05/2008

Breastfeed with pride says NCT

This week is National Breastfeeding Awareness Week (11-17 May) and the NCT is marking the Week by encouraging NCT branches nationwide to host events and activities in their local area.

Local branches will be calling on shops, cafes and leisure facilities to do everything they can to promote the fact that local breastfeeding mothers will be made welcome.

The charity wants to encourage more mothers to give breastfeeding a go and engage the support of their family and friends – this will enable mothers to feel confident about breastfeeding for as long as they want to and give their baby the healthiest possible start in life.

Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive of the NCT said;

“We are proud our branches are supporting National Breastfeeding Awareness Week. Research shows that the benefits of breastfeeding start right from day one, so every day of breastfeeding is a reason to feel proud. This is especially important for the nine out of 10 women who stop breastfeeding before they want to. We want the families and friends of women who breastfeed to recognise the support they give can also make a real difference to a mother’s confidence in breastfeeding and make a positive difference to babies’ health.”

Trained NCT breastfeeding counsellors are locally available seven days a week to answer questions and provide support around baby feeding. For further information call the NCT Breastfeeding Line on 0870 444 8708 Mon-Sun between 8am and 10pm.

In addition to the helpline, the NCT runs breastfeeding courses for parents who want to learn about baby feeding and related matters. A trained NCT breastfeeding counsellor helps parents and enables them to be in a better position to be able to breastfeed if they want to. Call NCT Enquiries for more details on 0870 444 8707.

Ends

Notes to Editors:
· Breastfeeding Awareness Week takes place 11-17 May 2008. For more information contact the NCT Press Office on 0870 770 3238 or email: press@nct.org.uk.

·The NCT has books and booklets relating to breastfeeding which can be ordered from NCT Sales 0870 112 1120 or visit www.nctsales.co.uk Breastfeeding - A Good Start-Breastfeeding: how to express and store your milk. Breastfeeding for Beginners.

· The NCT – formerly the National Childbirth Trust - is the leading charity for pregnancy, birth and parenting in the UK. Every year we support thousands of people through this incredible life-changing experience, offering relevant information, reassurance and mutual support through our local branch networks, national telephone helplines and antenatal and postnatal courses.

· The NCT is run by parents, for parents with over 70,000 members - our strength comes from the dedication of our volunteers, who work through our network of branches to provide local services, training and evidence-based information for parents, families and professionals. For more information on NCT call 0870 444 8707 or visit www.nct.org.uk

· NCT is a proud member of the Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition. www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk. The Breastfeeding Manifesto outlines seven key objectives which we are campaigning to have implemented into UK policy and legislation. It will ensure that mothers are supported so that they are able to breastfeed. The Manifesto has a wide range of Coalition members from Royal Colleges to environmental organisations and highlights the wide benefits breastfeeding can have on society. For more information and to sign up as a supporter, please visit www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk

· Many women feel uncomfortable about breastfeeding when out and about and there is a lack of appropriate infant feeding spaces. This can make feeding a baby very difficult and so affects how families chose to feed their baby. NCT and the Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition feel that more should be done so that women can easily feed their baby outside of the home. The UK Government should follow the Scottish Parliament and give women the right to breastfeed when out and about. Breastfeeding in public spaces should be rewarded and facilities and businesses should be encouraged to provide appropriate infant feeding spaces for those who prefer a more private area.