Marking World Breastfeeding Week
World Breastfeeding Week takes place in the first week of August and our teams will be on hand to share how they support families during their feeding journeys.
Activities by staff include hosting stalls both at our Women's and Children's Hospitals and in the community.
Our Infant Feeding Team is made up of dedicated midwives, nurses and feeding advisors who can help by having conversations around the health, nutritional, and unique benefits breast milk offers to babies, infants, and mothers.
Our teams are also available to support families under maternity care and families with babies in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at our Women’s Hospital, or families with babies under care at our Children’s Hospital.
Leanne Cruikshanks, Maternity Infant Feeding Lead Midwife, said: “Not only is breast milk amazing for you and your baby, but it requires no single-use plastic and is a zero-waste food source.
“Breast milk is also entirely free and readily available.”
This year’s World Breastfeeding Week focuses on the theme of creating sustainable support systems and supporting mothers and families both in hospital and at home.
Breastfeeding is more than a health initiative, it is an investment in global nutrition, food security, and a healthier, more sustainable planet for future generations.
At our Children’s Hospital Rebecca Clague, Infant Feeding Lead Nurse, is hosting a stall for staff and families to come and learn more about breastfeeding and how we support families.
Shanna Stringer, Neonatal Infant Feeding Lead, has also arranged for special breastfeeding packs for families at our Women's Hospital during the week.
On Friday 7 August the team will also be taking part in a community event in Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham and offering helpful tips and advice to the community.
Leanne added: “It’s so important to be able to go out in the community and see women and families outside of the hospital.
“Every year we host the event in Cannon Hill Park and it’s always a wonderful opportunity for families to talk to us and receive helpful and trusted advice.
“Families are also able to connect with each other during the event, which provides invaluable support to each other during their feeding journeys.”
There are a variety of useful tips on our Trust YouTube account, including the benefits of skin-to-skin and pumping on our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.