NATIONAL BREAST FEEDING AWARENESS WEEK

Promoting breast feeding in Gibraltar

Gibraltar Health Authority Midwives are delighted to be supporting National Breast feeding awareness week, which is currently running till 25thJune 2010.

Pat Rice, Sister on the Maternity unit, was asked for her top reasons why "breast is best" for babies. Clearly a keen advocate for breast feeding- she listed the positive benefits for your baby as a result as including supporting optimal growth, enhancing the development of the baby's brain, providing a boost to the baby's immunity (including against diarrhoea, respiratory infections and meningitis) - and it's more easily digested. She went on to explain it has been shown to improve bonding between Mum and baby - and can reduce the risk of Crohn's disease in later life. Plus of course it is always readily available and comes in easily portable packaging!

And there are advantages to Mum as well! Sister Rice explained that these include helping to shrink the uterus (so Mum regains her figure more quickly) - and it is also well known that it can help new mothers to lose weight. There are also health benefits for the mother- with research studies showing links with a lesser risk of breast or ovarian cancer in later life. Interested in finding out more?

To promote and highlight the health benefits of Breast Feeding the midwives at St Bernard's are holding an open morning at Morrison's Store on Thursday 24th June. The session will run from 10am until 2pm local midwives will be on hand to answer any questions and discuss the 10 steps to successful breast feeding. The session will also be supported by the local Breast Feeding Support Group 'Mummy and Me' and also 'Breast Cancer' Awareness Group. Come and join us share your experiences. All family members are welcome.

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