The theme of this year's event is "Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding", and women in Wolverhampton are being encouraged to find out about the help and support available to them locally.
In the early days after the birth of their baby, and for mothers with older babies, many women find it useful to be able to discuss any queries they may have about breastfeeding with others.
Attending a breastfeeding support and social group is a great way to obtain face to face support, giving mums the opportunity to meet other breastfeeding women, socialise, make friends and receive information and support.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Research shows that babies who are breastfed are less likely to develop illnesses such as gastroenteritis and respiratory and ear infections.
“They are also less likely to be obese or have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels – all risk factors for heart disease.
"Unfortunately, the UK has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world and that's something we are keen to see change.
"There's plenty of help and support available to mums who are breastfeeding, or to expectant mums who plan to breastfeed when their little one arrives, and World Breastfeeding Week is a great opportunity for people to find out more."
Wolverhampton has 5 breastfeeding support groups. All 5 meet during term time, while 2 also meet during the school holidays.
They are as follows:
- Bingley Breastfeeding Support Group, Bingley Strengthening Families Hub, Norfolk Road, Pennfields, Mondays 1.15pm to 2.45pm (term time only), contact 01902 551979.
- Bump to Boob Support Group, Gatis Community Space, Gatis Street, Whitmore Reans, Tuesdays 10am to noon (term time only), contact 01902 651155.
- The Children’s Village Breastfeeding Support Group, The Children’s Village, Graiseley Lane, Wednesfield, Wednesdays 10.30am to 12.30pm, contact 01902 553945.
- The NCT Breastfeeding Support Group, Action for Independence, Albert Road, Wolverhampton, Thursdays 10.30am to 12.30pm, contact 07398 501323.
- Low Hill Breastfeeding Support Group, Low Hill Strengthening Families Hub, Fourth Ave, Low Hill, Fridays 9.30am to 11am (term time only), contact 01902 553285.
At each group, there are trained breastfeeding peer supporters on hand to give mothers and mothers to be infant feeding support and information, as well as free refreshments. For details, visit Breastfeeding Support and Social groups.
People can also ring their midwife, health visitor or local Strengthening Families Hub for advice during office hours, call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212, or visit the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Infant Feeding Team’s webpages.
The City of Wolverhampton Council is breastfeeding friendly, supporting breastfeeding in all its buildings.
Councillor Jaspal added: "We want women to feel comfortable and welcome to breastfeed anywhere in our buildings and not feel the need to ask for a room. If they do, however, want the additional privacy of a room in which to breastfeed, we will do all we can to make one available to them."
World Breastfeeding Week is organised by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, a global network of individuals and organisations dedicated to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide. For more information, please visit World Breastfeeding Week.
