Breast is Best in Brighton and Hove
But, why are some new mothers saying they feel they are not getting enough support with breastfeeding. With our stretched maternity services and some peoples anti-public breastfeeding views many breast feeding mums are feeling stressed about how to feed their baby. To make it worse breast feeding is hard. Not a Supermum says "I found breastfeeding my first son so easy and natural that while in hospital for a complicated C-section, the midwifes could not believe I was a first-time mother. I was confidante the second time around as a second time "natural breast feeder" that at least that was one thing I wouldn't have to worry about. I was very wrong! He didn't have a great sucking reflex and we never relaxed into it. There could be many reasons for that, but it was not helped by the fact that I was in a completely filled ward and as a second time mother I was not expected to have no problems so was offered no support. "
There are some great volunteer charity's that offer breast feeding support but until now health visitors and their clinics were the main place of support for breastfeeding.
On the 24th April the first citywide co-ordinated breastfeeding support program was launched to promote breastfeeding as a positive everyday experience. The CYPT is looking for mums with experience of breastfeeding. You do not have to be an expert, because with training and your own experience you will be able to offer support to new mums.
This scheme was first run successfully in Moulsecoomb and is now to be citywide thanks to a grant from the Brighton and Hove PCT for £40,000. Eventually the plan is to move the scheme also into the local hospitals. This has greatly pleased Not a Supermum. "I think it is a fantastic idea! Midwifes on the wards are overworked and to have experienced breastfeeding mums around would have been a fantastic help to me!"
If you are interested in helping support other women in breastfeeding, contact Brighton & Hove City Council on (01273) 290206.
