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For more information about all Council Services see www.blackburn.gov.uk The Shuttle 9BENEFITS OF BREAST FEEDING THIS WINTERBy Ethan LaffyImproving breastfeeding rates inBlackburn with Darwen could savelives and money.That’s the message from the borough’spublic health team after Unicefpublished a report on the health andcost benefi ts of breastfeeding.Unicef, the world’s leading children’scharity, said in its report thatif 45 percent of babies in Britain wereexclusively breastfed for four months,and if three quarters of babies in neonatalunits were breastfed at discharge,each year there would be; 3,285 fewerbabies admitted to hospital with gastroenteritisand 10,637 fewer GP consultations,saving more than £3.6 million.The risk of a raft of diseases inmothers and their babies can be reducedthrough breastfeeding, includingbreast cancer, respiratory diseases,stomach upsets and ear infections.EVIDENCEDominic Harrison, the borough’s directorof public health, said: “We are committedto boosting breastfeeding ratesin the borough and this report givesvery strong evidence that it is importantto do so.“We recognise it as a major publichealth issue. There is a lot of supportavailable in Blackburn with Darwen tosupport breastfeeding.“This is why we have been awardedUnicef’s Baby Friendly Award forour work in increasing breastfeedingrates and to improve care for all mothersin Blackburn with Darwen.WINTER“I would urge all mothers and mothersto be to think very strongly aboutthe benefi ts of giving their little onesbreast milk.“What an excellent natural gift onlymothers can their babies over the coldand busy winter months.”Calum Rigby and his wife Jeni,from Darwen are strong advocates ofbreast feeding.Calum said: “I absolutely supportJeni with her breastfeeding. There aremany benefi ts. There are health benefits and it’s cheaper.”In the borough, there are now fourbreastfeeding support groups. CalledBelieve in Breastfeeding, the groupsprovide expert advice and support formums to encourage them to keep onbreastfeeding.The groups are at Livesey Children’sand All Age Centre, WensleyFold, Earcroft and Audley children’scentre.Mothers breastfeeding at Blackburn marketand, left, little one Meghan who is breastfedPanto’sTitleSaturday 12 Sep - 8pmTickets £00Adv & DoorTitleSaturday 12 Sep - 8pmTickets £00Adv & DoorMother Goose12 - 31 DecemberFor performance times and tickets pleaseTitleSaturday 12 Sep - 8pmWhat’s On...Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs14 - 24 DecemberTickets £00Adv & DoorFor performance times and tickets pleaseSEE PICTURES OF THE BOROUGH AT WWW.FLICKR.COM/BLACKBURN-WITH-DARWEN