Page 19 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • August 2010 19
Breast is best for mum and

baby in short and longer term
There were strawberries and cream to mark National Breast Feeding
Awareness Week in late June for members of the Saltway Children’s
Centre Breastmates group - one of a network of informal drop-in
groups, jointly run by mothers, breastfeeding counsellors, midwives
and health visitors across Swindon.

LittLe Foxes ChiLdCare
Breastmate members at the Salt Way Children’s Centre
NHS Swindon has been tasked milk has huge health benefits over & eduCation
with increasing the number of the long term. “Not only does For children and their parents
mums who breastfeed babies for breastfeeding help mother and baby Established 1986
an extended period and is working to bond, it protects babies from infec- the common, Brinkworth, Wilts
with support groups to promote the tions and lowers the risk of getting tel: 01666 510356
health benefits of breastfeeding and breast and ovarian cancer in adult Just a 15 minute drive from West Swindon & Priory Vale on B4042
increasing the social acceptance of life. It also uses up about 500 calories
feeding in public. a day, making it easier for mums to l An independent family run nursery offering quality care and education
within a safe, secure, stimulating environment for all babies and children

Helen Smith, Breastfeeding Lead lose their pregnancy weight. from 0-5 and an out of school club for children aged 5-11 years
at NHS Swindon, said “breast- “Some 76 percent of new mums l Open: Monday to Friday, 7.30am-6.30pm, 51 weeks of the year
feeding comes naturally for some attempt to breastfeed within 48
women but for others it doesn’t - hours of giving birth, but this figure l Full, part time and term time places. Government funding for 3-5 year olds
Breastmates aims to support all of drops to about 45 percent when the l High staff to child ratios with qualified and experienced teaching staff and
nursery nurses
these women.” baby is 6 to 8 weeks old. Here in
Kat Sandell, mum of 11 month Swindon we would like to boost l Nutritious 3 course meals, hydro pool, multi sensory room, school hall with
old Aidan, has attended Saltway that figure to nearly 50 percent. If gym apparatus, secure gardens, mini bus for trips out and about
Breastmates since it began in Sep- women receive support they are
tember 2009. “I very much recom- more likely to breastfeed for longer,
mend breastfeeding to every new increasing the health benefits to
mum. It’s completely natural, gives themselves and their babies.”
a lot more freedom to go out with Breastmate Groups meet at:
your baby and stay out longer, West Swindon Children’s Centre,
without having to sterilise bottles. Gainsborough Way, Freshbrook:
Breastmilk is a free option when Mondays 10am to 12noon, except Part of the Busy Bees Group
money’s tight.” bank holidays A great place to play, learn and
Peer supporter Anita Higham
said, “breastfeeding can be more Saltway Children’s Centre, Pearl make new friends at Leapfrog in
Road, Middleleaze: Thursdays
time-consuming than bottle feed- 1.30pm to 3.30pm
ing, but sitting feeding for a couple Swindon St Andrews Ridge
of hours at a time is normal, and Abbey Meads Primary School: Mon-
it’s mother nature’s way of getting days 12.30pm to 2.30pm, except
mums to stop and focus completely school holidays. • Open 7:30am - 6pm, Monday to Friday
on their baby.” Turn up and join in or speak to • CCTV and secure access
Helen Smith added that breast- your health visitor about a group.
• ‘Busy Babies’ area
• Well equipped play rooms
• Sensory room
• Extra curricular activities
• Fresh home cooked food

Close to M4 junction 16, just a short drive from West Swindon
For children 3 months to five years 10% off September fees
Open all year from 8am to 6pm if you book and start
Extensive outdoor play & garden before 31st August 2010!*
Grant places available
For information call: 01793 851495 For more information call Niki on 01793 726 919
Leapfrog Day Nursery, Highdown Way, St Andrew’s Ridge, Swindon SN25 4FD
www.thedaynursery.com
Brinkworth Road, Wootton Bassett, Swindon SN4 8DS www.leapfrogdaynurseries.co.uk *terms and conditions apply

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