Eyemouth Project Launches During Scottish Breastfeeding Awareness Week

Monday 3 – Friday 7 June 2019 is Scottish Breastfeeding Awareness Week.

This year Scottish Breastfeeding Awareness Week focuses on the new national Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme which supports women to breastfeed when out and about in public spaces.

To coincide with this awareness week, we are launching an exciting new project called 'Raising awareness of breastfeeding: a whole community approach' in Eyemouth which does just that. The project also involves helping families to make informed feeding choices and supporting women and babies to have a positive and enjoyable feeding experience.

Working with local partners and the Eyemouth community, we are looking to achieve a whole town approach to infant breastfeeding. This will create a welcoming environment across public spaces, venues and services such as local childcare providers, leisure & culture facilities and businesses.

Barbara Jessop, Health Improvement Specialist in Maternal and Infant Nutrition, said: "For Scottish Breastfeeding Week there will be a special 'Bump to Baby' drop-in event held on Wednesday 5 June between 10am and 3:30pm in the Eyemouth Early Years Centre.

"Please come along - everyone is welcome – women and their babies, partners, grandparents and friends. This event is an opportunity to chat with other parents, make new friends and meet professionals informally who can offer care and advice for you and your family during pregnancy and beyond.

"At the event you'll be able to: meet Breastfeeding in the Borders (BiBs) infant feeding volunteers, chat to a baby sling consultant, meet 'childsmile' staff and find out about regular events and weekly groups that are on in the Borders such as the Eyemouth breastfeeding group which will be running each Monday from 10:30-12:00 noon in the Early Years Centre. There'll also be the chance to taste some quick and easy recipes, get ideas for weaning your baby and chat to the Community Food team.

"Then on Thursday 6 June there will be a Baby Cafe running from 11.30am until 2pm, where we are providing a free healthy lunch suitable for both adults and babies. Families can come along, meet other families and enjoy some food and a chat.

"You can show your support of the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme by posting a photo of yourself breastfeeding wherever you are during Scottish Breastfeeding Awareness Week and using #ScottishBreastfeedingAwarenessWeek #SBAW2019 #BreastfeedingFriendlyScotland.

"Together we can build a Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland. By promoting, supporting and celebrating breastfeeding we can all help to reduce the inequalities in health that many families experience, especially in rural areas."

For more information on the benefits of breastfeeding and to find out about the local support that's available please visit Breastfeeding Support in the Borders' Service.