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Charlotte Church Calls For More Young Mums To Breastfeed
Charlotte Church has called on other young mums to breastfeed after new statistics revealed that only 42% of Welsh mums under 20 start to breastfeed compared to 76% of mothers over 30.Charlotte is supporting the Welsh Assembly Government drive aimed at tackling this generation gap.
During Breastfeeding Awareness Week (11-17 May), Charlotte has joined forces with Minister Jane Hutt and health experts from across South Wales to urge more young mothers to consider the protection that breastfeeding gives both to them and their babies. |
Young mum backs breastfeeding campaign
May 12 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail
Only four out of 10 mothers under 20 in Wales breastfeed their babies. As a campaign to encourage young mums to breastfeed is launched today, 21-year-old Zoe Bull explains why breast was best for her two daughters
I WAS 18 when my daughter Kamran was born and I decided to breast feed mainly because I felt it would help give me a really special bond with her.
Later, when I read about the benefits of breastfeeding – less chance of my baby developing allergies, my milk being easier for her to digest, the likelihood of me losing weight faster and the sheer convenience of it – I knew I’d made the best choice for us both.
I remember that first special feed vividly. Sitting up in bed with this small baby in my arms, the blissful feeling of calm was shattered by her first cry of hunger.
Uncertainly I put Kamran to my breast and she latched straight on as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
For the first time in my life I felt I had accomplished something truly worth being proud of. It was amazing to think that I was nurturing a strong healthy baby using my body’s own resources.
The first two weeks were challenging both mentally and physically. But it was all worthwhile as I focused on the great things I was doing for my baby.
The best thing I did was start going to a breastfeeding support group in my home town of Tonyrefail. I was young and lacked confidence and seeing other mums breastfeeding over a cup of coffee and a chat made me realise I wasn’t on my own.
There were times when I was exhausted and felt like giving up, but sharing experiences was reassuring and gave me the boost I needed to carry on.
I’d been going for a while when the leader approached me about training as a peer supporter. This meant I would be able to help other mums who were having difficulty with feeding or just wanted advice.
Three months later I became officially accredited and found it really rewarding helping other mums when they needed answers the most.
My second daughter Kruiz was born 12 weeks ago. I’d managed to breastfeed Kamran until I was four months pregnant with Kruiz and I didn’t have to think twice about how I would feed my new daughter.
It has been tougher this time as Kruiz had trouble latching on, but with patience and a lot of support, I am still feeding her myself and I know it’s worth it for both of us.
I know I am very much the exception and it is sad that so few young mums in Wales decide to breastfeed. I believe a combination of factors lies behind this – the “lads’ mag” culture that sees breasts as just sexual objects and the fact that young mums often have uneasy feelings about their own developing bodies. There is also a fear that breastfeeding means you can never leave your baby’s side.
I know that breastfeeding isn’t for everyone – it’s a very personal choice and I would never criticise mums for not doing it. But I do believe that if they had more information and uncritical support, more young mums would be more likely to at least try it.
We need to promote the many benefits of breastfeeding to young girls and explode some of the myths that sadly seem to be so widely believed. We can show young women that by expressing your milk you can enjoy a social life and still give your baby the best start in life.
Breastfeeding my babies was the best decision I ever made and I would strongly encourage other mums to at least try it out, because there’s no doubt that breast really is best.
Fewer mums breast-feed in Wales
67% of mothers in Wales breast-feed, compared to 70% in Scotland and 78% in England
The highest rates of breast-feeding are among mothers from managerial and professional occupations, those with the highest education levels, those aged 30 or over and first-time mothers
55% of mothers from routine and manual socioeconomic backgrounds breast-feed compared to 84% from managerial and professional backgrounds
The younger the mother the less likely she is to breast-feed.
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/health-news/2008/05/12/young-mum-backs-breastfeeding-campaign-91466-20894016/
http://www.thebabywebsite.com/article.1390.Charlotte_Church_Calls_For_More_Young_Mums_To_Breastfeed.htm
