This week has been Scottish Breastfeeding week, and NCT’s Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies have been busy running events in the region. Find out more.
The 13-19 June 2022 is Scottish Breastfeeding Week and Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies took every opportunity to celebrate!
The week started with a picnic at Saughton Park in Edinburgh. This was a special event because it was a collaborative effort and was hosted by all the organisations who provide trained, free breastfeeding support across Lothian, alongside NHS Lothian.
It was an opportunity to celebrate and thank every person who supports or has supported breastfeeding – whether a breastfeeding parent, a partner, a grandparent, friend, or peer supporter.
Our weekly Tuesday morning group at Kidz n Kin (Livingston) and Thursday afternoon group at Granton Parish Church (Edinburgh) treated parents and peer supporters to a wee bit of cake to celebrate all things breastfeeding. It was lovely to see them all!
On Wednesday, we attended the Celebration of Breastfeeding in Scotland virtual event, hosted by the Scottish Government.We listened and learned from colleagues within NHS Scotland, Maree Todd (Minister for Public Health) and Dr Elizabeth Smith, Breastfeeding Advocacy and Culture Lead for Scotland.
Our sister project, Glasgow Breastfeeding Buddies, presented on Neonatal Peer Support in NHS GGC and we learned about how peer support is bringing value to what matters to families in the Neonatal Unit as well as to the staff working there.
On Thursday we opened a brand-new Breastfeeding Peer Support Drop-In group.
Cameron House Community Education Centre, our new venue, is the perfect place for parents and their little ones to pop in; lots of comfy seats, toys to keep children entertained, and a small café for the all-important cuppa on arrival.
It was great to be back in the Southside of Edinburgh and we are sure that parents in the local area will enjoy coming to see us there.
We’ve shared videos and quotes from our team of amazing volunteer peer supporters throughout the week on our social media and had lots of interaction from parents online; sharing their own stories, experiences and top tips for breastfeeding.
It has been great to see conversation about breastfeeding happening and connections being made between parents who access our services.
You can find out more about our Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies by following them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @LothianBFB
Don’t forget, our Infant Feeding Support Line is open every day of the year, 8am to midnight. Call 0300 330 0700.
We’ve got lots of articles on feeding your baby – take a look here.
