Jun 21 - Gibraltar Breastfeeding Association Celebrates National Breastfeeding Week
Whatever your reason for breastfeeding, the Gibraltar Breastfeeding Association (GBA) kicks off National Breastfeeding Week by celebrating a families’ right to feed their baby.
A statement from the GBA continued: “In Gibraltar 70 % of mums start off breastfeeding when their baby is born. By the end of week 1 this has dropped to 40%. This leaves 30% of mums who wanted to breastfeed their babies, not able to do so.
“The GBA aims that everyone in Gibraltar who wants to breastfeed will be able to do so. In countries that have high breastfeeding rates this is achieved with good education and advice and support both from health care professionals and peer supporter volunteers who work in unison.
“The GBA are teaming up with the Health Visitors to provide regular breastfeeding workshops for expectant mothers. These sessions will run after working hours, to focus on what to expect and what to watch out for when the baby is born. It also gives parents the confidence to realise help is at hand if needed.
"Alongside these workshops the GBA have produced new information leaflets for mums, fathers and grandparents. These will be handed out and launched on our awareness day.
"The Awareness day will be held outside the ICC on Thursday 22nd June in conjunction with the Health Visitors, Midwives and Health Promotion Team and supported by the minister’s for Health and Equality. The aim of this day is to provide support and information on not only the benefits of breastfeeding baby, including lowering the risk of ear, gut, nose and throat infections, childhood diabetes and obesity, some cancers and increasing babies immunities to other infections, but also what to do if a problem is encountered.
“Breastfeeding benefits to mum are lower risk of some cancers and osteoporosis later in life. Highlighted is also the ease of breastfeeding which. once fully established, needs no work or further thought. It costs nothing and is great for the environment. It also burns up a 500 extra calories helping mums get back to their pre pregnancy shape easier.
“The GBA will also be rolling out a breastfeeding welcome scheme for local businesses and groups. To be launched at our awareness day, eateries and other establishments will be invited to sign up to a voluntary scheme in which they agree to provide a safe, comfortable and clean environment for mothers who wish to breastfeed with appropriate levels of support from friendly staff. These businesses will then be detailed on our website and offered a breastfeeding friendly sticker for their window. The scheme is part of a UNICEF initiative to protect promote and support the needs of mums, babies and their families in addition to the right of all mums to feed their baby in public.
“We have been very busy in the last few months so watch out for other initiatives coming soon including a campaign on local TV. We'll also soon be launching our new website with information for mums, families and support forums. The GBA can be contacted on Facebook or on mobile 54014517.”
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