Tea was poured, homemade cake was shared and friendships flourished as Mums and babies enjoyed the warmest of welcomes at the Downe Hospital to celebrate Breastfeeding Awareness Week.
Hosted by the South Eastern Trust, the event brought together new Mums from across the local area for a relaxed morning of conversation, support and shared experiences. Trust Midwives and the Infant Feeding Team were on hand to offer advice and encouragement while families had the opportunity to connect with others at a similar stage of their parenting journey.
Breastfeeding Awareness Week highlights the importance of supporting families to give babies the best possible start in life. Alongside the many health benefits for both babies and mothers, having access to encouragement, practical advice and support can make a real difference to a Mum’s feeding journey.
Mum, Abi McCrory, gave birth to her baby daughter Tuathlaith at the Ulster Hospital on Mother’s Day and is now four and half months old. Abi shared how the support she has received has helped her daughter to thrive.
Abi said, “It is amazing to come to events like this and meet other Mums and to know that you are all in the same boat. The support I have had from other Mums in the Downpatrick area as well as the South Eastern Trust Lactation Team, has been amazing and has helped Tuathlaith to thrive. We would not be where we are today without that support.”
In between cuddles and cake, Mum, Rachel Carlson, whose son Fintan was born last year, praised the support she received at the beginning of her breastfeeding journey.
Rachel added, “The Team at the Ulster Hospital, the Midwives here at the Downe Hospital and the Support Group at Sure Start made such a difference in my breast-feeding journey. Fintan is now a year old and we had a rocky start, we had to do pumping alongside feeding and now I cannot get him to stop!
“It has been really special for our bond and I am really pleased it worked out and we got the support we needed when we needed it.”
From Ballynahinch and in matching stripes with her beautiful eight-week-old son Ethan, Laura Brown commented, “The support has been amazing. The Team have really motivated me with my breast-feeding and it is great to build that relationship with the Midwives. It is nice seeing other Mums and chatting to them. The Breastfeeding Team visited me at home which I found really helpful.”
From Downpatrick and Mum to five-month-old Clodagh, Ellen Carberry described the Midwifery and Breastfeeding Team as, “amazing.”
Ellen stated, “This is a great service right on our doorstep and I cannot recommend the staff enough, they are all angels.
“Clodagh is now five months old and it is events such as this that brings people together. There is a real sense of community and coming to events such as this helps to build routine for new Mums to get out of the house. It is such a full circle moment to come to the Downe Hospital for maternity appointments and now I am bringing my five-month-old baby. The Midwives are just fantastic.”
Enjoying the celebrations with her six-and-a-half-month-old daughter Fíadh, Mum Nuala Reynolds commented how events such as the coffee morning are brilliant for bringing Mummies together.
Nuala said, “I would be a bit of home-bird and when events like this are on, I love coming along and chatting to all the Mums.
“When I had Fíadh, the Team gave me lots of different ways of how I could feed her, how I could position her. The Midwives and the Health Visitors are just brilliant.”
Infant Feeding Lead, Ruth Leemon shared how World Breastfeeding Week provides an important opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and the support available to families throughout their feeding journey.
Ruth added, “Breastfeeding offers significant health benefits for both babies and Mums. It provides optimal nutrition, supports babies’ immune systems, helps protect against infection and illness and promotes healthy growth.
“We are passionate about helping families achieve their feeding goals by providing evidence-based, compassionate care and ensuring every family receives the support they need to give their baby the best possible start.”