Around 30 mums and babies from across Herefordshire got together on Friday, August 3rd, at the Courtyard Theatre in Hereford, to take part in ‘The Big Global Latch On’ to promote breastfeeding, as part of world-wide celebrations.

To mark the occasion, thousands of mums and their babies across the world gathered in their own communities to take part in the Global Big Latch On - a synchronised breastfeeding event in multiple locations.

Many mums start out breastfeeding their new born babies, but for a number of reasons, including lack of support and possibly feeling awkward breastfeeding in public, decide to stop by the time the baby reaches six to eight weeks old.

Breastmilk helps to boost a baby’s ability to fight illness and infection, lowers a baby’s risk of having asthma or allergies and the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Arwen Nixon, infant feeding lead midwife from Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “Last year, we launched the Baby Friendly scheme and now 18 local businesses have signed up to show their support by displaying an easily recognisable window sticker to welcome families breastfeeding their baby.”

Premises interested in joining the scheme should contact Kate Harding, breastfeeding support worker by emailing her at: [email protected]

Breastfeeding helpline:

Breastfeeding helpline, open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday for telephone advice and home visiting with WVT maternity support workers – call 07733 264 085. Outside of these hours call WVT triage for 24 hour support on 07990 986 517.

Breastfeeding support groups:

Monday: Ledbury children’s Centre, 9.30am to 11.30 am. 01432 383840.

Fred Bulmer Centre, Hereford, 0am to 12pm. 07792 396 407

Wednesday: Bumps to babies, 11am to 1pm at De Koffee Pot, Hereford.

Thursday: Ross-on-Wye Children’s Centre, 10am to 11.30am. 01432 260700.

Widemarsh Children’s Centre, Hereford City, 1pm to 2.30pm. 01432 83430.

Friday: Red Barn Drive, Hereford bi-weekly, 10am to 11.30am. 07808 648862 (bi-weekly).