A celebration of breast feeding is taking place in Liverpool from Monday 18 June.
As part of the national Breastfeeding Celebration Week, mums from across city centre are being invited to come together at a series of events organised by Liverpool Bambis, a peer support group which has worked with 19,000 mums over the last six years.
It will kick off on Monday 18 June with a march from St George’s Hall on Lime Street to Chavasse Park in Liverpool ONE at 11:30am, where there will be a picnic.
This will be followed by celebration events each day at selected Children’s Centres including afternoon teas, brunches and coffee mornings.
In addition, hundreds of knitted woollen boobs – made by local nans and used in antenatal sessions to teach mums how to latch a baby on to their breast and hand express their milk – will be on display at businesses across the city centre. They include Marks and Spencer, Boots, cafes and restaurants in Bold Street and Liverpool ONE as well as Central Library and the Museum of Liverpool.
A total of 55 percent of new mums breast feed in Liverpool, compared to 74 percent elsewhere, dropping to 33.5 percent at six to eight weeks against 44 percent across the rest of the country.
Cabinet member for children’s services, Councillor Barry Kushner, said: “When new mums in Liverpool make the choice to breast feed then the support of Community Bambis is absolutely invaluable.
“Breast feeding for even a short period of time gives children the very best start in life and the events are a great way for women to come together to celebrate the work of Bambis in making Liverpool a breast feeding friendly city.
It is also a chance to share their experiences and offer support to new mums and mums-to-be who want to find out the benefits for themselves and their baby.”
Other events during the week include:
Tuesday 19 June
• An afternoon tea party at Anfield Children’s centre from 12-1:30pm
• A beach party at Childwall and Woolton Children’s Centre from 1-3pm
• Open afternoon at Clubmoor Children’s Centre from 1:30-3pm
• Afternoon tea at Kensington Children’s Centre from 2-3:30pm
• High tea at Wavertree Children’s Centre from 10am-12 midday
• Continental breakfast and hand massage at Stoneycroft and Knotty Ash Children’s Centre from 9:am-11:30am
• Brunch at Granby Children’s Centre from 9:30-11:30am
Wednesday 20 June
• Breastfeeding coffee morning from 10am-midday at John Lewis in Liverpool ONE (book via Liverpool Community Bambis Facebook page)
Thursday 21 June
• Afternoon tea at Walton, County and Fountains Children’s Centre from 1:30-3pm
• Afternoon tea at Everton Children’s Centre from 12:30-2pm
• Pram walk from Fazakerley and Croxteth Children’s Centre from 1-2pm
• Celebration brunch at Dingle Lane Children’s Centre from 10-11:30am
Friday 22 June
• Teddy bears picnic at Yew Tree Children’s Centre from 10-12 midday
• Everton FC – breast feeding celebration from 12:30opm-2:30pm (book via Liverpool Community Bambis Facebook page)
Last year the city council launched a ‘Breastfeeding Mayoral Quality Mark’, which aims to make Liverpool a place where mums can breastfeed in comfort when they are out and about.
Since the scheme was launched in September 2017, around 250 premises – including cafes, shops and restaurants – have achieved the Quality Mark, with the latest being Everton FC, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, ACC Liverpool and National Museums Liverpool venues.
Each venue receives a certificate and a badge that they can place in their window or door to let customers know they are breast feeding friendly.
Sandra Davies, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health said: “Breast milk 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 will be sharing interesting facts and information on social media at www.facebook.com/liverpoolwomens and @liverpoolwomens on Twitter. Liverpool Community Bambis can be found on Facebook and are on Twitter @bambisliverpool.
