Local mum positively promotes the normalisation of breastfeeding

A FIRST time mum is encouraging more women to take pride and pleasure in breastfeeding.

Melanie Bentley-Moore, 29, from Denton, didn’t have an easy start with breastfeeding her now 2 year old son, Antares Bentley-Moore, yet she continued to persist due to her determination.

Melanie has volunteered to share her experience of breastfeeding to support the #BreastfeedVictory campaign, which launched last week by Tameside Council working with Grow in Tameside.

The newly launched social movement recognises that whether it be your first, second or third (and so forth) time breastfeeding, it’s important to know that every breastfeed is a victory to be celebrated, and aims to highlight the support available to new parents,  to help them to breastfeed successfully.

Melanie said: “At first when Antares wasn’t latching I was really stressed, but I was determined to keep trying.

“So, I told myself that I was just going to allow myself the day to come to terms with the changes, especially in my body and then take it one day at a time.”

She explained that she loves how breastfeeding is more than food, how it’s comfort, nutrition and immunity, as well as, it creating such a strong bond between mother and baby.

Breastfeeding can support the bonds between parent and baby parent, lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, saves money and uses up to 500 calories a day.

Other benefits of breastfeeding include reductions in babies ill health, as well as, less likely of becoming obese and therefore developing type 2 diabetes and other illnesses later in life. 

She continued: “I think it’s amazing to know that if Antares was to catch a cold or get poorly, I can nurse him better from my body.

“I strongly feel empowered and proud to breastfeed my child, as it’s such a natural part of life. I am very open about breastfeeding on my Instagram.

“I’ve even had mum’s message me, telling me I’ve inspired them as they gave up early on due to negative comments when breastfeeding.”

Melanie found she needed support with breastfeeding, but it was her determined nature that helped her overcome the challenges, together with the support from her sister.

Melanie said: “I feel as though it’s not spoken about enough that you do get aversions sometimes when breastfeeding and it’s normal to feel frustrated but, just know we all go through it and you’re not alone. Don’t quit on a bad day.”

Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Population Health, Councillor Eleanor Wills, said: “I’d like to thank Melanie for sharing her experience with breastfeeding. It’s great to hear how she kept trying to breastfeed Antares, even though she faced some challenges along the way.

“I believe it is important to celebrate breastfeeding and continue to normalise it for all mothers, whether that be in public or private so that women everywhere feel comfortable to provide for their child. Breastfeeding is an amazing natural course and mothers should feel empowered!”

For support and information about breastfeeding in Tameside visit: https://www.gotogrowtameside.co.uk/birth-12-months/feeding-weaning-teething-nappies-bathing/feeding/

To follow the #BreastfeedVictory campaign on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter search @BreastfeedVictory.