Woollen b00bs to promote breast feeding

WOOLLEN B00BS are appearing all over Liverpool City Centre to promote breast feeding.  The 300 knitted items; used in antenatal sessions to teach mums how to latch a baby on to their breast and hand express their milk; have been made by local nans.  They are on display at more than 45 businesses including:- shops, restaurants and cafes across the City Centre to raise awareness of Breastfeeding Awareness Week, which is taking place from 19 June to 23 June 2017.  

10 of them are 'golden' woollen b00bs that will win their finders a special prize if they take them along to a parade and picnic on Wednesday, 21 June 2017, from St George's Hall to Chavasse Park.  The prize winning design to look out for will be revealed on the Council's Twitter account and other local media on the day. 

The event is one of a series organised by Liverpool Bambis, a peer support group which has helped 15,000 mums in the City since 2012, working with other breastfeeding support services across Merseyside. Although breastfeeding is on the increase in Liverpool, the City still lags behind the national average with 53% of new mums feeding naturally compared to 74% nationally, and this drops to 32% at 6 to 8 weeks against 44% across the rest of the country.

The highlights include:-

		► Monday, 19 June 2017, an afternoon tea party at West Derby Children's Centre, from 1:30pm to 3pm.
		► Tuesday, 20 June 2017, a breast feeding picnic is taking place, at Score Lane Park in Childwall,  from 1pm to 3pm. Call:- 0151 233 5733, to book a place.
► Wednesday, 21 June 2017, St George's Hall will be lit up, in 'Liverpool Bambis purple' overnight.
► Thursday, 22 June 2017, a celebration lunch is happening, at Fazakerley Children's Centre, from 12pm to 2pm. Call:- 0151 233 3705, to book a place.
► Friday, 23 June 2017, celebration breakfast at Dingle Lane Children's Centre, from 9:45am to 11am, including bra fitting by Marks and Spencer and an afternoon tea and massage, at Walton Children's Centre, from 1pm to 3pm.

Assistant Cabinet member for education, Councillor Rachael O'Byrne:- "If new mums in Liverpool make the choice to breast feed then the support of Community Bambis is absolutely invaluable. Breast feeding for even a short period of time gives children the very best start in life and Wednesday's event will be a great way for women to come together to celebrate the work of Bambis in making Liverpool a breast feeding friendly City, as well as sharing their experiences and offer support to new Mums and Mums to be who want to find out the benefits for themselves and their baby."

Sandra Davies, Liverpool's Director of Public Health said:- "Breastmilk really does give babies the best start, as it is all that's needed for the 1st 6 months of life.  It protects babies from infections and diseases and has many benefits for both children and mothers." 

A Breastfeeding Welcome scheme, with more than 200 places that will accommodate and welcome families in Liverpool, has been established. A list of venues, and more information about the importance of breast feeding, is available by searching online. 

During Breast Feeding Awareness week the Bambis team at Liverpool Women's Hospital will be sharing interesting facts and information on Facbook and on Twitter.