TV Personality Ferne McCann helps launch get Blaenau Gwent breast feeding campaign
Television personality and breastfeeding champion Ferne McCann visited the Flying Start Hub in Cwm last week (26 February) to meet groups of Blaenau Gwent mums and mums to be to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding.
The event marks the start of a year long campaign to encourage increased rates of breast feeding in Blaenau Gwent and a strategy for this will be launched in the next couple of months.
Blaenau Gwent has the one of lowest breast-feeding rates when compared to the rest of Wales and the UK. The joint campaign with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is focussed on increasing breast-feeding rates based on a clear understanding of some of the barriers which prevent this in the community.
There are many well documented benefits to breast feeding. For mothers it reduces the risk of risk of ovarian and breast cancer, diabetes and heart disease. There are health benefits for babies as it reduces the risk of some common infections like ear, respiratory, gastrointestinal as well reducing some of the risks of overweight and obesity. It also helps to reduce other risks like SIDS, type 1 diabetes and asthma.
Cost and environmental benefits are important as we are still in a cost-of-living crisis, breast milk is free and readily available, it does not require heating, sterilising, is not produced in a factory, and requires no packaging unlike formula options.
Breast feeding also helps bonding and attachment between mum and baby which promotes brain development and emotional regulation of the infant, which in turn will help them grow into confident toddlers.
A recent survey infant feeding survey which received 143 responses identified some of the common barriers to breast feeding and the information will be used to better inform mums and expectant mums targeted by the strategy and campaign this year.
Ferne McCann said
‘It was a real pleasure to visit Cwm today to get behind the launch of the Get Blaenau Gwent breast feeding campaign.
There are loads of reasons why some mums choose not to breast feed, but one of the biggest reasons seems to be a lack of support and confidence. I hope that this campaign will encourage young mums in Blaenau Gwent to get the right help to overcome of the one of the biggest hurdles for mums wanting to give it a try - lack of support.
There’s so much to navigate when you begin your breast-feeding journey but on the other side is pure joy, convenience and the great health benefits and I am sure that this campaign will bring these benefits to life.’
Notes:
- Breast-feeding can also have a positive impact on the sustainability and climate change agenda. The reduction of those diseases as mentioned above (that breastfeeding can help prevent) would reduce the financial burden on the health service. Studies suggest that if every child in the UK breastfed for 6 months, the reduction in carbon emissions would be equivalent to taking 77,500 cars off the road!!!
