NEW mums are always being told that breast is best. Science has proved that breastfeeding is beneficial to both mother and baby.

The baby takes in antibodies against infections and illnesses, and research shows that breastfed babies can have higher IQs and are less likely to be obese.

The benefits for mothers is just as great, with breastfeeding mums less likely to suffer from breast and ovarian cancer and receiving some protection from osteoporosis.

During National Breastfeeding Awareness Week this week, health professionals, including NHS North East Essex and Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, are encouraging new mums to at least consider breastfeeding.

The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and breastfeeding combined with other foods until two years of age and beyond.

Not everyone can manage this but, by giving all the facts and highlighting the wealth of support, health professionals hope women will at least give it a go.

Breastfeeding champion for NHS North East Essex, Lynn Parkin, said the week is an “opportunity” to raise the profile of breastfeeding in the community.

“So few women manage to do it without any problems at all and a little problem can often develop into a massive one. We want to give women the information so they can make the choice – it’s not about pushing women into it.”

To help mums, a new feeding room will be opened at Cornerstone, Sir Isaacs Walk, Colchester, tomorrow, that will be open weekdays from 9am to 5pm, and on Saturdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Lynn, who has breastfed her six children, revealed that 76 per cent of women start breastfeeding, but nine in ten give up by six weeks. Just one or two per cent breast- feed for at least six months.

The reasons range from the mum being worried she is not producing enough milk, the baby not putting on enough weight, the baby not latching on, sore nipples – the list is endless.

She said: “They can get over these problems if they have help. As health professionals, we say breast is best, but we need to put that support network in place.”

This week, a host of events will be taking place across Colchester and Tendring where women can find out exactly what support is available and where.

At a breastfeeding support group at the Oak Tree Centre, in Harwich Road, Colchester, mums shared experiences. This helps build confidence and offers guidance, said Lynn.

While new mum Odette Hotchkiss, 36, said she had no trouble breastfeeding baby Erin, others shared stories of struggles and perseverance.

Rachel Davies, 22, of Goring Road, Colchester, said she nearly gave up breastfeeding Harvey, now 14 weeks, many times.

She said: “I knew it was something I always wanted to do because of the benefits to him and the bond that it creates, but initially I found it very difficult. I had problems with him latching on and I became very sore.

“It was five weeks before he was finally established properly without it hurting.

“I did try expressing and giving it to him in a bottle, but he didn’t like the bottle. I was very lucky – my sister is a breastfeeding support worker and she pointed me to a support group, and I got a lot of help from the girls here.”

She added: “I would tell other mums to come to a group and take the advice they give you. It’s lovely to see other mums that have been in the same position and got through it. Just keep trying.”

Katrina Parker, 34, had an even tougher time. After delivering her twin girls, four-months-old Honey and Bluebelle, six weeks early, Katrina became ill and the girls were in hospital for a time.

She was advised to express her milk to stop it from drying up and had problems when she finally started breastfeeding, despite having breastfed three of her children previously.

“It does get quite demoralising, your confidence takes a knock and you feel you can’t do it. It’s a vicious circle. Then I was too scared to try breastfeeding and thought my milk would dry up,” said the mum-of-seven.

“Luckily, I had met Lynn during my pregnancy and I called her. Lynn came to my house and talked through the different methods to increase my milk. It was a confidence boost to be told how well I was doing.”

Lynn is keen to stress that although promoting breastfeeding, the week – with the theme, every day makes a difference to your baby – is not about segregating women who do from those who bottle feed. It is certainly not about making women feel bad if they choose not to, or cannot get to grips with it.

But she said in our “bottle feeding culture” the skills of breastfeeding are being lost.

To help breastfeeding mums feel more confident and relaxed about breastfeeding in public, restaurants and cafes in Colchester High Street are welcoming mums who need to breastfeed while in town. Offering them a free drink throughout the week, the venues will display a poster in their window, supporting NBAW.

Lynn added: “I was pleasantly surprised that nearly everywhere I went had no objection to women going in there to breastfeed. It’s nice to see that businesses are changing – a few years ago we wouldn’t have had that response.”

  • NBAW events in North Essex

    TODAY 10am to noon: Balloon release and SOS bus at Ormiston Children’s Centre, Hawthorn Road, Colchester

    10am to noon: Play session, Harwich Windmill Centre, Mayes Lane

    10am to noon: Play session, Hemmington House, Broadway, Jaywick

    10.30am to noon: Support team at Colchester Public Library 1pm to 4pm: SOS bus in Colchester town centre

    TUESDAY 10am to noon:

    Teddy Bear’s Picnic, St George’s Hall, Hall Lane, Walton

    1pm to 4.30pm: Support team at Londis, Homefield Road, St Michael’s Estate, Colchester

    WEDNESDAY

    Morning: New infant feeding room at Cornerstone, 5-7 Sir Isaacs Walk, Colchester

    11.30am to 2.30pm: Support team at Debenhams, Head Street, Colchester

    10am to 11am: Bumps and Babies (for teenage mums and dads), Green Lodge, Clacton; 11.30am to 1.30pm for babies one year plus.

THURSDAY

10am to 4pm: SOS bus, Pier Avenue, Clacton

10am to 4.30pm: Support team at Lion Walk Precinct, Colchester

Noon to 2pm: Mother’s Milk Picnic, Castle Park, Colchester

FRIDAY

10am to noon: Support team at Sainsbury’s, Tollgate, Stanway

10am to noon: Support team at Colchester Library

1pm to 4.30pm: Support team at ASDA, Turner Rise, Colchester

Afternoon: Tea party at Hemmington House, Jaywick l 

  • For details call Hayley Hill on 07768 401239