11 November 2021

Here in the Borders we strive to provide high quality breastfeeding support and advice for new families. We are proud to announce that almost 60% of Borders babies are being breastfed at 10-14 days after birth and around 51% still being breastfed at 6-8 weeks. Both of these figures are higher than the national average.

NHS Borders was the third board in Scotland to have been awarded the internationally recognised UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Gold Award in recognition of our excellent and sustained practice in the support of infant feeding and parent-infant relationships.

If you are considering breastfeeding some of the benefits include:

  • Your breast milk is perfectly designed for your baby
  • Breastfeeding is free, convenient and always ready to use – you don’t need to sterilise bottles or teats
  • Breast milk helps protect your baby from infections and diseases
  • Breastfeeding can build a strong emotional bond between you and your baby
  • Breastfeeding provides health benefits for women, their infants and society as a whole

Kirsteen Guthrie, Interim Lead Midwife at NHS Borders said: “We actively encourage mothers to make an informed choice by providing them with the appropriate information, advice and support which takes into consideration their circumstances and focuses on close loving relationships. Breastfeeding provides health benefits for both mums and babies, for example breastfeeding reduces your baby’s risk of infections, diarrhoea and vomiting. Some health benefits are even lifelong with breastfed babies having reduced rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. In addition to these benefits mums who breastfeed lower their risk of breast and ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and obesity.”

Ida Hassing, Infant Feeding Advisor at NHS Borders added: “In the first 24 hours after birth your baby’s tummy will be about the size of a cherry so they will usually wake and feed often, this is completely normal and will settle down. Your Midwife, Health Visitor or Family Nurse will give you lots of support and information to help you establish breastfeeding.

“If a loved one, such as your partner, daughter, sister or friend, is breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding, please help to support them whatever way you can. This may be by giving them time and space, helping them get settled and comfortable before they breastfeed or simply making them a cup of tea. We would also encourage everyone in the Borders to help support our Breastfeeding in the Borders programme by promoting breastfeeding as a perfectly normal activity within our public spaces and communities.”

‘Breastfeeding in the Borders Support’ (BiBs) provides support and guidance to all women for as long as is required. This support can be accessed by speaking to your Midwife or Health Visitor or alternatively by contacting:

Julie Robson, BiBs Volunteer Coordinator, Tel: 07775227114, email: Julie.robson@borders.scot.nhs.uk

Juliet Fraser, Health Improvement Specialist, Tel: 07816061542, email: Juliet.fraser@borders.scot.nhs.uk

Our volunteers work alongside hospital and community health professionals and the help they offer to families complements the support and care all women routinely receive. If you have experience of breastfeeding and would like to volunteer to support other women through the BiBs programme please get in touch by calling 01835 825970.

Further information about ‘Breastfeeding in the Borders Support’ is on our website.