Posters featuring photographs of mother and baby and inspiring messages about why they feel welcome to breastfeed in Wolverhampton will be going on display at locations around Wolverhampton to celebrate the support the city provides to help mothers give their babies the very best start in life.
It has been developed by the City of Wolverhampton Council in collaboration with the city’s Best Start In Life Family Hubs and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and reinforces the message that breastfeeding is welcomed and supported in every corner of the city.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “Breastfeeding provides essential health benefits for both mother and baby, but we know that around 8 in 10 women stop breastfeeding earlier than they would like.
“Thanks to the support provided to local mothers and families, breastfeeding rates in Wolverhampton are steadily increasing – now we want to work with our communities to encourage them to continue to support women to feel confident to breast feed for as long as they want to.
“Wolverhampton Welcomes Breastfeeding sends a clear message: our city is a place where breastfeeding is supported, and where families are able to give their children the best start in life.
“We are now asking residents, businesses, and community organisations to celebrate and share this campaign, and help us show that Wolverhampton truly welcomes breastfeeding.”
Among those featured in the campaign are Natasha, who says: “I think all it takes is that one mum to go to another mum and be like, you’re doing a really good job, just to feel that support.”
Natalie says: “When you have someone guiding you though, you feel confident, and you’re like ‘yeah, I’ve got it’.”
Hannah says: “I don’t think I’ve ever had a negative comment while breastfeeding out in public.”
And Alisha adds: “I remember when I was in the Mander Centre, I just sat down to breastfeed my youngest and there was a woman smiling at me because I was breastfeeding. So sweet. Just silently acknowledging what I’m doing.”
Weekly drop-in sessions take place for parents who want to know more about feeding their baby, get support, or meet other breastfeeding parents, at local Best Start Family Hubs, with trained professionals and friendly peer supporters on hand to help.
They include sessions on Tuesdays from 12pm to 2pm at Best Start In Life Bingley Family Hub, WV3 0JE, on Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm at Best Start In Life Children’s Village Family Hub, WV11 1PE, on Thursdays from 12pm to 2pm at Bilston Library, WV14 7LU, and on Fridays from 10am to 12pm at Best Start In Life Whitmore Reans Family Hub, WV1 4AL.
A virtual support group meets on Mondays from 11am to 1pm and 7pm to 8.30pm via Microsoft Teams.
For further information, please contact the Infant Feeding Team on 01902 695578 or email rwh-tr.infantfeedingteam@nhs.net. For breastfeeding help and support, visit Breastfeeding.
