Somerville in DVD launch for breastfeeding

Published on Tuesday 4 November 2008 09:23

SNP Lothians MSP and new mum Shirley-Anne Somerville has helped launch a new DVD promoting breastfeeding.

From this month, the DVD – entitled From Bump to Breastfeeding – will be given to every expectant mother in Scotland by their midwife.

The Scottish Government has set a target for health boards to increase the proportion of newborn children exclusively breastfed at 6-8 weeks in Scotland from 26.6 per cent in 2006-7 to 33.3 per cent in 2010-11.

Ms Somerville, who was accompanied at the launch by her four-month-old daughter, Niamh, said: "This DVD will be a great support not only to expectant mums who are thinking about breastfeeding but also for new mums like myself who need support in those early months.

"Breastfeeding may be the most natural thing in the world but that doesn't mean to say that it comes naturally to all new mums. It takes time to gain confidence in what you are doing and many mums need advice and encouragement.

"There were times in the first few weeks that I was close to giving up breastfeeding my daughter. I was exhausted and worried that she wasn't feeding properly. Now I'm glad I persevered as I feel I have given her the best start in life."