Bid to get more Liverpool mums to latch onto breastfeeding
WHAT did your nan last knit? A scarf? A tea cosy? Or was it one of these fine woolly boobs?
Needle-wielding grannies across Liverpool have been busy doing exactly that - and now their fleecy handiwork can be spotted in restaurants, cafes and shops all over the city centre.
It’s all in aid of promoting breast feeding, which still isn’t particularly popular in Liverpool, and the 300 knitted items will go on display in 45 businesses next week as part of a series of events to highlight Breastfeeding Awareness Week.
Ten of them are “golden” and those lucky enough to get their hands on one can claim a special prize, says Liverpool City Council which will be tweeting the design to look out for next Wednesday.
But it’s more than just a stunt. The woolly boobs have a practical purpose and will be used in antenatal sessions to teach mums how to latch a baby on to their breast and hand express their milk.
Although breastfeeding is on the increase in Liverpool, the city still lags behind the national average with 53 percent of new mums feeding naturally, compared with 74 percent nationally. This drops to 32 percent at six to eight weeks against 44 percent across the rest of the country.
The event is one of a series organised by Liverpool Bambis, a support group which has helped 15,000 mums in the city since 2012, working with other breastfeeding support services across Merseyside.
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 first six months of life.
“It protects babies from infections and diseases and has many benefits for both children and mothers.”
During Breast Feeding Awareness week the Bambis team at Liverpool Women’s Hospital - while there still is one - will be sharing interesting facts and information on Facebook and on Twitter.
Breast Feeding Awareness week events in Liverpool
Monday 19 June – an afternoon tea party at West Derby Children’s Centre from 1:30pm – 3pm
Tuesday 20 June - a breast feeding picnic is taking place at Score Lane Park in Childwall from 1-3pm. Call 0151 233 5733 to book a place.
Wednesday 21 June – St George’s Hall will be lit up in ‘Liverpool Bambis purple’ overnight.
Thursday 22 June - a celebration lunch is happening at Fazakerley Children’s Centre from 12pm – 2pm. Call 0151 233 3705 to book a place.
Friday 23Brea June – celebration breakfast at Dingle Lane Children’s Centre from 9:45am – 11am including bra fitting by Marks and Spencer and an afternoon tea and massage at Walton Children’s Centre from 1-3pm.
