Mothers and their babies gathered in Middlesbrough to celebrate breastfeeding as part of the Big Latch On.
The worldwide event is designed to promote and normalise breastfeeding for everyone.
Held in Middlesbrough at Stewart Park earlier this month, the event was a chance for mums to meet up and share their experiences and stories in a supportive environment.
Deputy Mayor Philippa Storey, the Executive Member for Education and Culture and Middlesbrough Council’s breastfeeding champion, hailed the event a success.
She said: “Breastfeeding is beneficial for mums and babies and in Middlesbrough, we want to support families to live the healthiest and happiest lives they can.
“It’s great to see a wonderful event like the Big Latch On continue to be so successful in Middlesbrough.
"Events like this provide valuable peer to peer support for mums and helps normalise breastfeeding –the more people see it taking place, the more likely others are to try.”
Middlesbrough adopted the Breastfeeding Borough Declaration last year, with the aim to increase breastfeeding rates, reduce health inequalities and normalise breastfeeding in our region.
Representatives from Middlesbrough Council’s Family Hubs and NHS services were also on hand at the Big Latch On to promote their offer, while mums and babies could make keepsakes of the day or take part in specialist yoga sessions delivered by Kalmalife Teesside.
Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond classes are delivered in Middlesbrough by midwives, health visitors and family hub workers – with four antenatal sessions for expecting families and a reunion session after birth.
A specialist breastfeeding support event is being held at the Thorntree Family Hub on Monday May 12, from 1pm to 3pm. Call 0300 3031603 for more details.
Weekly breastfeeding support groups are also available every week across the town – at the Sports Village on Tuesdays from 10am to 12 noon; at Park End Family Hub from 12.30pm to 2.30pm on Wednesdays; and at Abingdon Family Hub on Thursdays from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
The Middlesbrough Children’s Health Services App, which offers advice and signposts families to support, can be downloaded from here.