Breastfeeding Parents Invited to Peer Support Session

Breastfeeding parents and their babies are invited to come together at a free peer support soft play session in Denton at the start of August.

To celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, the event aims to promote the achievements of those who breastfeed, encourage others, and show ways in which families, societies, communities, and health workers can support breastfeeding parents. The session is part of an ongoing collaboration between Tameside Council’s Public Health team and key partner Home-Start, who offer free breastfeeding advice in person, online and by telephone.

In 2022/23, 37.5% of Tameside parents were breastfeeding their baby at 6 to 8 weeks, in comparison to 49.2% in England. There are many health benefits of feeding with breastmilk as it contains antibodies, vitamins and nutrients that are crucial in fighting common illnesses and diseases in early childhood and later life.

Executive Member for Population Health & Wellbeing, Councillor Eleanor Wills said: “I’m incredibly supportive of events like this to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding and the free support available for families in the borough. In Tameside we also continue to grow the Baby Welcome initiative which highlights local venues that provide a welcoming environment and support for women breastfeeding.”

To promote the best start in life, the NHS recommends babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months. After that, breast milk can be used as part of the introduction of healthy solid food, a process known as weaning. According to the World Health Organisation, breastmilk continues to provide up to 50% or more of a child’s nutritional needs when they reach 6 to 12 months and up to a third during the second year of life.

The free soft play session will take place on Wednesday 7 August from 9.15 am–11.15am at the Denton Wellness Centre. To book your place, contact Liz on 07704 702971.

To find out more about support with feeding, visit the Go to Grow website. To join the online peer support conversation follow the BreastfeedVictory Facebook account.