Val’s back to nature drive

A PIONEERING infant feeding expert has launched a competition for children to reinforce the message that breastfeeding is natural.

Val Finigan, infant feeding co-ordinator at The Royal Oldham Hospital, wants children to paint, draw or colour any animal that they think breastfeeds its offspring.

The competition is part of National Breastfeeding Awareness Week which runs from May 11 to May 15.

She said: “I want children to think of an animal they have seen in the countryside, on holiday, in the zoo or even on television.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what our children can think up using their imaginations and it will be a great way to get them to think about breastfeeding.

“We need to re-establish the link between human beings and nature and this competition will remind people that breastfeeding is natural.”

Val believes the message is getting through to new mothers and more and more now consider breastfeeding their new babies.

She said: “We all know the health benefits which breastfeeding brings.

“But there are a lot of myths still out there about breastfeeding and women still come into the hospital with misunderstandings about feeding.

“Culturally we are a bottle-feeding nation and we have to try and get the information across in a balanced way.

“Breastfeeding gives babies perfect nutrition for the first six months, it helps protect against stomach bugs and chest infections.

“Mums who breastfeed can also feel the benefits through weight loss, a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer and it makes it easier for their wombs to return to normal.”

Val, is also launching a book “Saggy Boobs (And Other Breastfeeding Myths)” this summer.

Children aged under 11 can enter the competition by picking up an application form at the Royal Oldham Hospital’s café during the awareness week between 12pm-2pm.

Alternatively, youngsters can draw and colour a picture and put their name, age, school and their parents address or telephone number on the back of the picture. Entries must be returned by June 1 and posted to Val Finigan, c/o Antenatal Clinic, Royal Oldham Hospital, OL1 2JH.

For more information on breastfeeding you can visit the information stand or log on to www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk