New mothers encouraged to ‘get off to the breast start’

New mothers encouraged to ‘get off to the breast start’ PDF Print
Wednesday, 20 June 2012 11:05

Issued by West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Maternity staff at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust would like to invite the media and new and future mothers to attend a local health awareness event next week. This event will aim to highlight that breastfeeding is the best way to start a baby’s life, with the message that it is important to ‘get off to the breast start’.

As part of National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, staff from the Trust will be hosting the event on Tuesday 26 June between 10am-3pm at Westfield Childrens Centre (further venue details below), offering mothers the opportunity to meet local midwives and infant feeding specialists.

Free taster sessions of pregnancy and baby-related classes will be on offer throughout the day; including baby first aid, pregnancy pilates, natal hypnotherapy and baby calming. The Trust’s Maternity Team will also be unveiling their ‘breast mountain’ – a knitted mountain of breasts used for antenatal teaching – as well as serving ‘boobie cup cakes’, and running a raffle to raise money for the Maternity Team’s renewed focus on breastfeeding and kangaroo care.

Various organisations will also be represented, such as the Breastfeeding Network, La Leche League and the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), alongside other pregnancy-related businesses.


Kay Barber, Infant Feeding Co-ordinator at the Trust, said: “As more new mothers turn to the bottle, we feel the need to remind mothers that there are proven health benefits for the mother and baby in the short and long-term. These are rarely represented across television and in the press. Therefore my colleagues and I would really like to offer and welcome our event to anyone who is pregnant or has a child – even if they just wish to come for a cake and talk to other new or future mothers”.

Please contact the Trust’s Communications Team on 01923 436281 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are a member of the media and would like to take up the invitation.

Notes to Editor:

  • 25-29 June 2012 is National Breastfeeding Awareness Week. 
  • Event details: ‘Off to the Breast Start”: Tuesday 26 June 2012, 10am-3pm. Westfield Children’s Centre, Croxley View, Watford WD18 6AE (Tel 01923 800003)

For more information, please contact the Communications Team on 01923 436281, or through www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/newsandmedia