Promoting breastfeeding awareness

Breastfeeding Awareness Week, which launched on Monday, aims to raise awareness, promote support and increase social acceptance.

In West Sussex, breastfeeding drop-ins provide a place where mums can get help and support in a relaxed environment.

At the MILK! group in Worthing, peer supporter Jemima Osbahr, 33, is on hand at The Wave Children and Family Centre, in Dominion Road, Broadwater, every Wednesday, 10am to 11.30am.

“We offer support and encouragement. It is more of a social group,” she explained.

“It is a halfway house because you might feel self-conscious about breastfeeding in public, but here you can feel more supported.”

Jemima, who also helps at the breastfeeding drop-in at Lancing Children and Family Centre on Thursdays, said it was important people realised it is not a clinic.

“You don’t have to be here with a problem. You can come along and have a chat with a cold drink and piece of cake. You might learn something you didn’t realise you needed to know.”

See Thursday’s Herald & Gazette for a special feature on breastfeeding support groups and meet some of the people who have benefited.