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Mum is the word

30/ 5/2008

CELEBRITY mum Jenny Frost visited Blackley yesterday to tell young mums that breast is best.

The pop star with Atomic Kitten met young mums and mums-to-be at the Higher Blackley Sure Start Children's Centre Baby Bistro which takes place every week.

She talked to them about their experiences with breastfeeding and about Breast Buddy – a new initiative to encourage young mums to nominate a buddy from their circle of friends and family, to provide practical and emotional support while they breastfeed.

Jenny who has an eight month old son Caspar, said: "When I was doing interviews when I first had my baby I explained how difficult I was finding breastfeeding, and if it wasn't for my mum who gave me support I think I would have stopped.

"I'm not here to pressurise mums, it's a personal choice to breastfeed or not, but I think it's vital to have centres like this and the Breast Buddy scheme to get that support.

"New mums shouldn't feel embarrassed about asking questions about breastfeeding, because if it's your first baby you will have a lot of questions and this is what the Breast Buddy is for."

Martina Street, Head of Sure Start Higher Blackley Children's Centre said: "Not everyone finds it easy to breastfeed so initiatives like Breast Buddy will be a great help.

"Anything which offers new mums the chance to ask questions or share their worries and concerns has got to be a good thing."

Mums-to-be can register for the Breast Buddy initiative by texting BUDDY to 60022 and they will receive an information pack including the NHS Breastfeeding Guide and details of the National Breastfeeding Helpline which launched in mid February (0844 209 0920).

They will also receive texts for the first six months to encourage them with breastfeeding and their buddy can also receive texts to help them support the breastfeeding mum.