Breast is best for new mums

There was cuteness overload at the Bellingham Children’s Centre when parents and their babies got together for the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust’s breastfeeding hub Christmas party.

The invite had stipulated that Christmas jumpers, cute baby outfits, chocolate and cakes were compulsory and the mums certainly didn’t disappoint. There were a few mini Santas in the room and Christmas knitwear too. There are multiple breastfeeding hubs in the borough.

The breastfeeding hubs meet weekly and are hosted by midwives, health visitors or volunteers. These sessions provide parents with an opportunity to talk to specialists about every aspect of their baby’s development.

Michaela Smikle, a community midwife support worker in Bellingham, said: “I really love my job and want to help mums to feel confident and empowered about breastfeeding.

“A lot of new mums want to breastfeed but many find it more difficult than they had thought.  My role is to help them overcome problems so they can feel assured they can do it.”

Ruth Davidson was at the hub with seven week old  Joseph. She said: “The hub is so friendly and it offers great support and there is always something I want to ask about feeding or his weight.

“It’s also nice to talk to other mums and have that social contact.”

Lizzie Thomas is a mum to three children and was at the hub with five-week old baby Pippa and her three-year-old daughter Bella.

Lizzie said: “I really struggled with breastfeeding my second baby and wish I had come to the hub before.

“Coming here with Pippa really is the best thing I could have done as you feel solidarity with other women who are also having problems as it can be lonely being up late struggling to breastfeed your baby. The advice and support the hub gives is fantastic.”