Events aim to show breast is still the best

Published on Friday 9 May 2008 10:28

COFFEE mornings and a tea party are among the events being organised across the Lothians to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding.

Coffee mornings will take place at Gilmerton Community Centre at 10am on Wednesday and Craigroyston Community High School at 10am on Tuesday as part of Breastfeeding Awareness Week, which runs from Sunday.

A tea party for mums is also being organised at the Simpson’s maternity unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at 11am on Friday.

Dr Alison McCallum, director of public health and health policy at NHS Lothian, said: “We all know that breastfeeding is the best, most natural option for feeding babies.

“But we also know that, sometimes, establishing breastfeeding isn’t easy for some mums and the first few days after the birth can be a really difficult time. It’s really important that people know that there is support available.”

NHS Lothian is providing an information stall at this weekend’s Parents Like Us Festival in Leith Links, while a stall will also be at the Mayfield Leisure Centre in Dalkeith, Midlothian.

To find out more go to www.parentslikeus.co.uk.