Breastfeeding schemes win award

HEALTH chiefs in Doncaster have been presented with an award for their efforts in improving the low rates of breastfeeding in the town.

At present, just 69 per cent of mothers in Doncaster breastfeed their babies from birth – compared with the national average of 73 per cent – and many of those stop very quickly.

NHS Doncaster has introduced several schemes to try to increase the rates and, as a result, has now been presented with a Unicef "Baby Friendly" award.

Debbie Ellis, breastfeeding co-ordinator at NHS Doncaster, said: "Breastfeeding is an amazing achievement for mums, babies and families and also the wider community.

"We are working closely with all types of organisations to get Doncaster to become a breastfeeding friendly town and using a number of different ways to ensure mums feel supported to breastfeed wherever they go in the borough."