Support for breastfeeding mothers

A NEW service has been launched to encourage mothers in York to breastfeed their babies with figures showing the city is lagging behind the national average.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Oct 2010, 12:12 BST
Updated 18th Oct 2010, 12:12 BST

The support group, called Nurture, has been set up by the primary care trust, NHS North Yorkshire and York, in the hope that it will increase breastfeeding rates across the city.

Only 66 per cent of new mothers in York choose to breastfeed their baby – well below the national average of 78 per cent for England.

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Research has shown that breastfeeding helps protect babies from a variety of childhood diseases and infections, as well as allowing babies the chance to develop strong immune systems.

Health officials have stressed that breastfeeding also uses about 500 calories a day, so many women who breastfeed have claimed they find it easier to get back to their pre-pregnancy figure.

The new support group, which has been launched with help from the Sure Start Children's Centres, will run from 10am until 11am every Friday at the Global Centre on Low Poppleton Lane in York.

More information about breastfeeding support groups in York is available from health visitor Lynn Fitzharris on 01904 724889.

Related topics:YorkNorth YorkshireNHSEngland