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Only the breast will do here!
MUMS and their babies in South Tyneside will celebrate National Breastfeeding Awareness Week with a teddy bear's picnic.
The event has been organised by South Tyneside Primary Care Trust's (PCT) Breastfeeding Support Group (BSG) to mark the annual week, which starts on Monday.
Past and present members of the group will come together on Thursday to swap stories and tips while enjoying a picnic at their base in Marine Park Children's Centre, Flagg Court, South Shields.
Any breastfeeding mums are welcome to go along to the event, which is being held from 10am to noon. Free light refreshments will be provided.
South Tyneside PCT has also arranged for information displays to be installed at Central, Hebburn and Jarrow Libraries and Temple Park Centre in John Reid Road, South Shields, during the week to raise awareness of breastfeeding and its benefits.
Health visitor Jen Menzies said: "National Breastfeeding Awareness Week is a perfect opportunity to celebrate breastfeeding and the life-long benefits it gives to you and your baby.
"It is the most natural thing in the world and it helps to protect your baby from infections and diseases such as ear and gastro-intestinal infections, as well as childhood diabetes, eczema, and asthma.
"On top of that, it can help to protect mums from developing ovarian and breast cancers, plus it's free and can help you to lose your baby weight faster."
There is a variety of support for mums in the borough, and advice can be sought through midwives, health visitors, infant feeding workshops and breastfeeding support groups.
The Gazette's chief reporter, Angela Reed, and Jackie Walton, both of South Shields, are just two of the mums to have benefited from the group.
Mrs Reed, 28, who is mum to five-month-old James and is on maternity leave, said: "Breastfeeding is a really good bonding experience and it's good to know I'm giving him the best possible start in life.
"James is such a healthy baby and I really think that is down to breast-
feeding.
"I'd advise any mums thinking about it to give it a go. There's plenty of support out there – I found it very useful talking to other mums at the group."
Ms Walton, 44, who is mum to six-month-old Will, added: "Breastfeeding is lovely because it brings you closer to your baby and you know you are doing what's best for them.
"Plus I think it's easier – you don't have to get up in the middle of the night and go through the process of making a bottle – it's so much more convenient."
The BSC meets every Thursday from 11am to noon at Marine Park Children's Centre.
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
