A Welsh council has celebrated the success of its breastfeeding campaign.
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council marked the end of the first year of its ‘highly successful’ breastfeeding campaign, Get Blaenau Gwent Breastfeeding, with its first inaugural breastfeeding Christmas celebration on Monday, December 2, 2024, at the General Offices in Ebbw Vale.
The event saw more than 80 mothers and their babies come together to celebrate the achievements of those who had breastfed their babies in 2024.
Attendees enjoyed a festive celebration buffet, tea, coffee, playtime, photographs, and a visit from Santa.
The mums were presented with a gift (Image: Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council)
All mothers were presented with certificates and a special breastfeeding award pin to commemorate their personal breastfeeding milestones.
One mother in attendance said: “This event is so lovely, it’s nice to come together every so often, have a chat with other mothers, and enjoy a hot coffee.
“It makes such a difference to have this support.”
The breastfeeding Christmas celebration highlighted the significant progress made in Blaenau Gwent’s breastfeeding rates in 2024.
Since the launch of the Get Blaenau Gwent Breastfeeding campaign, breastfeeding rates have risen from 40 per cent in January 2024 to a record-breaking 60 per cent in August 2024.
Ceri Bird, service manager for children’s services, said: “The increase in breastfeeding rates is a direct result of our council’s commitment, in partnership with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) and celebrity breastfeeding champion Ferne McCann, to provide more awareness, information, and support for new parents.”
For more information, contact the Family Information Services on 01495 369610 or email FIS@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk.