Rochdale mum helps launch myth busting breastfeeding book

Val Finigan (right) is pictured launching the book with artist Lou Gardiner (left), who is displaying one of the original embroidered pieces of artwork she created for the book, and mum Angela Collinge with children George and Nell.

A Rochdale mum was one of the special guests as pioneering midwife Val Finigan, the infant feeding co-ordinator for Pennine Acute Trust, launched a cartoon-style book called “Saggy Boobs (And Other Breastfeeding Myths)”.

Angela Collinge, from Norden, helped to contribute ideas for the book which was launched to coincide with National Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2008, this week.

The book was developed with mothers who are part of the Baby Bistro breastfeeding support network, which involves dozens of groups from across the North East of Greater Manchester.

Ms Finigan, along with Trust arts co-ordinator Rob Vale and artist Lou Gardiner, discussed the women’s experiences. Lou then used embroidery to create stunning cartoon-style illustrations for the final book, which de-bunks common myths about breastfeeding.

Three of the top myths include:

• Breastfeeding causes saggy breasts
• Breastfeeding ties mothers to the house
• Bottle-fed babies sleep better than breast-fed babies

The book, supported by a £5,575 Awards for All National Lottery Fund grant, will be distributed to breastfeeding support groups and health professionals for use with new mothers across Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and North Manchester.

Following interest from health professionals, plans are now being drawn up for a national launch of the book later this year.

Ms Finigan said: “I hope this book helps mothers to separate fact from fiction so that they are encouraged not only to initiate breastfeeding but to continue breastfeeding for longer.

“This is the first complete book I’ve written and I’m delighted with the finished product, which looks so richly colourful and appealing. I see this as the start of a series of books on infant feeding and parenting.

“I’m thrilled with the work of artist Lou Gardiner, who has created such impressive images, and I would also like to thank Rob Vale for his help in bringing this project to fruition.

“I’d also like to express my gratitude to all the mums across the area who have been involved in putting the myths together.”

Ms Collinge, who was one of the mothers involved, said: “I think women too easily bottle feed without knowing how easy and beneficial breastfeeding can be.

“Breastfeeding can be hard to start with but it’s definitely the method of convenience once you are established. The health benefits are also tremendous – my son George was breastfed to 15 months and he has rarely been ill.”

The launch is the latest breastfeeding support initiative from Ms Finigan, who received a MBE in the New Year’s Honours list. Two of Pennine Acute Trust’s hospitals have full UNICEF Baby Friendly initiative accreditation, with the other two working towards it. The results have seen UNICEF describe the Trust as “one of the most baby-friendly in the country”.