Are you a nursing mother?
It's National Breastfeeding Awareness Week from 14 -20 May, and all mums are invited to free drop-in sessions across the borough to find out more about the benefits of breastfeeding.
The sessions will give you the opportunity to meet other mums and take part in a free prize draw.
Every mum who attends will receive a free goody bag.
Find out where your nearest session is
Benefits of breastfeeding
Research shows that breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life can work wonders for its long-term health and well-being, with stronger immune systems and less chance of getting asthma or eczema.
The Council has invested £250,000 in producing a Greenwich Breastfeeding Strategy that will increase awareness and encourage mums to breastfeed.
In the past year alone, the number of regular drop-in facilities has increased from one to thirteen, with outreach workers going out into the community and interpreting services available where needed.
In addition, 140 health staff have received UNICEF training in breastfeeding awareness, and six local mums have been appointed as breastfeeding advocates.
UNICEF award
In recognition of the work done in this area, Greenwich will be the first borough in England to be awarded the UNICEF Baby Friendly Award Scheme certificate for best practice in breastfeeding.
Sue Ashmore, Programme Director for UNICEF UK BFI will present the certificate on Friday 19 May at the Quaggy Children’s Centre in Orchard Hill.
Giving babies the best start in life
Director of Children’s Services, Paul Burnett, said: "Babies everywhere deserve the best possible start in life, and here in Greenwich we want to ensure that we help as many mums as possible to achieve this.
"A number of other new initiatives are planned, and very soon nursing mothers will be able to breastfeed their babies while they are out and about in the borough with specially designated areas in major council buildings."
12 May 2006