Events are happening throughout Calderdale as part of Breastfeeding Awareness Week, with the aim of supporting expectant individuals, as well as partners, family members, and friends who are interested.
Calderdale Council’s Public Health Team, Locala Community Partnerships’ Health Visitors, Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust (CHFT) Maternity Infant Feeding Team, volunteer Breastfeeding Peer Supporters, and Calderdale’s Children’s Centres have joined forces to provide assistance through a series of antenatal classes focused on breastfeeding.
Starting from Monday, 19th June, these sessions will take place at various locations across Calderdale. They will support families on their journey and provide information on topics such as the mechanics of milk production, how to initiate breastfeeding successfully, and what to expect during the early stages of infant sleep and feeding.
The events are scheduled as follows:
- Monday, 19th June – Jubilee Children’s Centre, Halifax, from 10am to 12 noon (to book a place, call 01422 342552).
- Tuesday, 20th June – Wellholme Park Children’s Centre, Brighouse, from 12 noon to 2pm (to book a place, call 01484 714768).
- Thursday, 22nd June – Innovations Children’s Centre, Halifax, from 12 noon to 2pm (to book a place, call 01422 248222).
- Friday, 23rd June – Todmorden Children’s Centre, from 9am to 11am (to book a place, call 01706 399970).
There will also be a drop-in event on Tuesday, 20th June, at Halifax Central Library, led by the CHFT Infant Feeding Team, from 2pm to 3:30pm. This event is specifically designed to support individuals preparing for birth and their plans for infant feeding. No booking is required; attendees can simply arrive and consult with the expert team.
Cllr Tim Swift, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, stated; “Breastfeeding offers health benefits for both mother and child and contributes to providing the best start in life for babies. These special sessions aim to raise awareness of these benefits and support expectant parents with advice, while also providing an opportunity to ask questions. In addition to these events, parents can access plenty of information at every stage of their breastfeeding journey, with support available from local midwives, health visitors, trained Breastfeeding Peer Supporters, and through various groups or one-on-one consultations.”
Alison Walklate, Locala’s Infant Feeding Lead in Calderdale, expressed her enthusiasm about being part of these events as they align with their efforts to provide support and guidance to parents through a range of community initiatives. Breastfed children are better protected against childhood illnesses, and breastfeeding offers health benefits to mothers by reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, while also fostering a strong bond between mother and baby.
Assistance with infant feeding is one of the services provided by Family Hubs Calderdale, a new network that brings together support for local families.
