Helping hand for breastfeeding mums

Val and Rob celebrate news of their grant for a book to help breastfeeding mums in Rochdale

Help is at hand for breastfeeding mums in the north east of Greater Manchester – thanks to a pioneering midwife and a ‘win’ on the National Lottery.

Val Finigan, infant feeding co-ordinator for Pennine Acute Trust, which runs Rochdale Infirmary as well as North Manchester General Hospital, The Royal Oldham Hospital and Bury’s Fairfield General Hospital, has been successful with her application to the “Awards for All” fund, which provides lottery grants for local groups.

The grant of £5,575 will be used to commission an artist through LIME, the Trust’s “Arts in Healthcare” organisation, to work directly with breastfeeding support groups across the Trust. 

These sessions will lead to the production of a book of unique and amusing artworks aimed at dispelling breastfeeding myths and encouraging more women to give their babies the best possible start by breastfeeding.

Val said: “Lots of women who might decide to breastfeed their babies are put off by rumours and myths. I felt that if we could tackle some of those issues in a light-hearted way then more women would have the confidence to opt for breastfeeding. It is always the woman’s choice, but we know that breastfeeding brings a wide range of benefits to mum and baby alike, so we don’t want anyone ruling it out because of myths.” 

Val believes that the ‘top three’ myths include:

• Breastfeeding causes saggy breasts
• You’ll never get out the house as breastfed babies are always feeding
• Babies don’t thrive on breast milk

Val added: “Once we’ve appointed an artist, we’ll be doing the rounds of the breastfeeding support groups in Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton as well as Oldham, North Manchester and Bury.

“Real mums who breastfeed their babies will be able to give their views and suggestions because at the end of the day, they are the experts.”

Breastfeeding benefits to babies include:

• Perfect nutrition for the first six months 
• Helping protect them against stomach bugs and chest infections
• Cutting the chance of being overweight in later childhood. 

Benefits to mums who breastfeed include:

• Weight loss
• Making it easier for their wombs to return to normal
• Reducing the risk of pre-menopausal breast and ovarian cancer

Val added that the support of Rob had been essential in winning the grant.

She said: “Rob developed the idea of the bid and his skills have helped us gain this extra funding, which will directly help improve the health of women and their babies in this area. I’m sure the project will be successful and, if it is, then we’d like to see it grow beyond this area to help other women further afield.”

The booklet is expected to be available in the summer, with an exhibition of the artwork due to tour the Trust’s hospitals.

For more information about breastfeeding support groups in your area, contact Val Finigan on 0161 627 8420.