Health chiefs in Wolverhampton are encouraging people to take to social media during World Breastfeeding Week - beginning on Wednesday (1 August, 2018) - to drum up support for breastfeeding mums.

Type=image;ImageID=16030;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=World Breastfeeding Week;TitleClass=strong;

Members of the City of Wolverhampton Council's Public Health Team and the Infant Feeding Team at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust want Wulfrunians to go online and become Wolverhampton Breastfeeding Friends - #WolvesBFF.

To take part in the campaign, people are asked to post messages of support using the hashtags #WolvesBFF and #WBW2018.

The campaign is part of the work that the council's Public Health and Early Years teams are undertaking with the Infant Feeding Team and Health Visiting service to normalise breastfeeding in Wolverhampton.

Councillor Hazel Malcolm, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "We are calling on all residents, community groups and even businesses to get involved and make a public display of support for breastfeeding.

"Research shows that babies who are breastfed are less likely to develop illnesses such as gastroenteritis and respiratory and ear infections.

"They are also less likely to be obese or have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels, all of which are risk factors for heart disease, and so I would encourage everyone to show their support for this campaign."

Wolverhampton is also celebrating World Breastfeeding Week by holding a free event for new parents and mothers-to-be at Low Hill Community Centre, Kempthorne Avenue, from 1pm to 3pm on Tuesday 7 August.

Visitors will be able to find out more about feeding their baby as well as other issues including slings, hypnobirthing, baby massage and baby yoga at the event.

  • released: Friday 27 July, 2018