Mums who want to breastfeed get help from council

NEW mums in the Sevenoaks area are being given more advice on breastfeeding thanks to an £18,000 award from the district council’s Better Care Fund.

The funding which is being given to PS Breastfeeding will complement the Health Visiting service already provided by Kent County Council.

The aim is to increase home visits to families, host breastfeeding groups in local Children’s Centres and to provide equipment such as baby slings, carriers and pumps to new mothers without charge.

Tannice Hemming, founder of Keep Kent Breastfeeding, a group who help raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding across the county, said: “Keep Kent Breastfeeding are delighted to discover that Sevenoaks District Council have taken this great opportunity to support their local breastfeeding families.

“The breastfed babies of Sevenoaks District – those here and those yet to be born – are so lucky their mothers will continue to receive wonderful breastfeeding support from true breastfeeding experts. This is a simply fantastic outcome. We couldn’t be happier.”

Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Health, Cllr Michelle Lowe, added: “It can be very daunting trying to breastfeed a new born baby, and despite the portrayals in films and on television it does not always come easy to every mother. The home visits provide specialist training before and after birth, ensuring parents are able to overcome any problems with breastfeeding, saving extra stress and worry as well.”