Bumps and babes

New support group for pregnant mums

All pregnant and breastfeeding women in the Caithness area are being invited to attend the new peer supporters group when it launches this week.
Caithness Bumps and Babes, which will be held monthly, is run by a group of mums who have undergone training with the National Childbirth Trust and NHS Highland.
These women, who responded to an appeal for mothers to train as volunteer breastfeeding peer supporters, will offer support and advice from someone with firsthand experience of breastfeeding.
NHS Highland Infant Feeding Advisor, Karen Mackay, said: “There are 10 peer supporters in the Caithness area who have all been very keen in supporting other women who wish to breastfeed.
“Breastfeeding is not always easy and sometimes a friendly voice and correct advice is all that is needed to overcome a problem.”
The Bumps and Babes group will replace the weekly peer support sessions which have been held in the area.
There are two launch events being held over the coming week. The first on Saturday 2nd April at the Holburn Hotel in Thurso from 10am-12pm, and the second event will be at Morag’s Café in Wick on Monday 4th April from 2-4pm.
Both venues have donated their time to the group for free and a bouncy castle will be available to use at the Holburn Hotel while Morag’s Café has a ball pit for older children.
Mrs Mackay said: “We have volunteer peer supporters trained throughout Highland who are all supporting women in their local areas.
“Breastfeeding mothers, particularly those who are doing it for the first time, tell us they find it helpful to be able to discuss their experiences of breastfeeding and get support and advice from women who have done it themselves.”
Mrs Mackay pointed out that new mums already receive help and support from their healthcare professionals after leaving hospital and that the support they receive from the volunteer peer supporters would be additional to this.
She added that breastfeeding provided a baby with the very best start in life and also benefited the mother’s health.
Mrs Mackay said benefits for the baby may include reducing the risk of developing obesity and diabetes. For the mother, they include a reduced risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Anyone wanting more information or support with breastfeeding should contact NHS Highland Infant Feeding Advisors Janet Kellock or Karen Mackay on 01463 704842 or by email at Janet.kellock@nhs.net or Karen.mackay3@nhs.net.