NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s community infant feeding team were out and about all over Ayrshire hosting pop up events in a bid to help normalise breastfeeding and help raise awareness of Scottish breastfeeding week (5-11 June 2023).
The pop up events were designed to get people in the community coming together to create discussion, share new ideas and help bring about change to enhance the breastfeeding journey for mothers.
Hosted by NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s community infant feeding team, each of the pop up events in East, North and South Ayrshire welcomed Alyson Baillie, Breastfeeding Network Scotland peer supporter, some local mums and their little ones. They were joined by peer supporters, health visitors, and family nurses who spoke to mums about the challenges they face.
Alyson Baillie from Breastfeeding Network said: “It was fantastic to see so many mums coming along to the pop up events and being able to share their experiences. We want to see a more breastfeeding friendly Scotland and these events provided us with the opportunity to ask their ideas, thoughts and suggestions of how we can do this.”
Dr Ruth Campbell, Consultant Dietitian in Public Health Nutrition, said: “The pop up events across Ayrshire have been a great success. We were able to chat with mums and members of the public about breastfeeding and offer support where needed.
“Mums tell us that feeling uncomfortable in public is one of the main barriers to breastfeeding, so it makes sense to remove those barriers. Part of this is letting people know that it is not OK to suggest to a mum feeding her child that she covers up, goes to a toilet, or moves away from other people. An encouraging smile is all that is needed.”
If you are a mother looking for breastfeeding advice and support, speak to your midwife, health visitor or family nurse. You can also visit https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk or call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212. The Breastfeeding Network also runs free groups
The ‘Breastfeeding Friendly Ayrshire and Arran’ Facebook page has the latest news, pictures, stories and videos from breastfeeding mums around Ayrshire.
If you are a business owner who would like to sign up to the new Breastfeeding Friendly scheme, please email breastfeedingfriendlyscotlandayrshire@aapct.scot.nhs.uk