SUPPORTING breastfeeding can help both mum and baby to lead healthier lives - and now grandparents across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to get involved. The Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched a campaign to advise grandparents about how they can support their daughter - or, indeed, their son's partner - to breastfeed. To coincide with the start of World Breastfeeding Week on Thursday, The Irish News spoke to the PHA's regional lead on breastfeeding, Janet Calvert, as well as Armagh grandmother Anna Rooney and her daughter Colleen McVeigh about family support for breastfeeding.
Anna, Colleen and baby Finn feature in the PHA campaign's leaflet and poster - 'A grandparent's guide to supporting breastfeeding' - and hope that their example will help encourage other families to support each other with breastfeeding. The leaflet answers a number of questions which new grandparents may have, such as 'How will I know the baby is getting enough milk?' and 'If I can't give the baby a bottle how will I get to know my new grandchild?' It also gives information on the benefits of breastfeeding to mother and baby. Breastfeeding rates are lower in Northern Ireland than in Britain, with 64 per cent of mothers here breastfeeding initially compared with the UK average of 81 per cent. In Northern Ireland the number of babies being breastfed reduces further to 33 per cent at six weeks and 16 per cent at six months. Research shows that statistically, breast-fed babies are healthier than bottle-fed babies and have a generally lower risk of ear, chest, stomach, kidney and urinary infections. They also have a lower risk overall of severe asthma and eczema, childhood diabetes and obesity and sudden infant death (cot death). Mothers who breastfeed are at a statistically lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis (brittle bones). "Grandparents play a huge role in families and supportive grandparents can make a big difference to a new breastfeeding mum," Ms Calvert said. "They can offer simple encouragement and also practical help with the cooking and shopping, cleaning and laundry. "This will make such a difference and help ensure that mum has more time to spend with the baby. "A little bit of encouragement goes a long way, as it really helps a new mum to know that her family is supportive and that they recognise what an important thing she is doing by breastfeeding her baby." Colleen, the mother of four-month-old Finn, says her own mother's support has been invaluable. "I was keen to breastfeed Finn and my mum's help after he was born has been great," she said. "She has been very encouraging and supportive and helps out practically so that I have more time to spend with the baby."
Anna said that there was not a lot of information available about breastfeeding when she became a mum. "In my day not many mums breastfed," she said. "Now much more is known about the benefits of breastfeeding and I can see the benefits for my grandchildren. "I'm glad to help Colleen in any way I can and I would encourage other grandparents to show their support."
? To download the new leaflet, go to http://bit.ly/grandparentguide.
? ? SUPPORT NETWORK:: Anna Rooney and Colleen McVeigh with baby Finn