Health Visitors across Oxfordshire are taking to the streets to promote breastfeeding, culminating in an event that promises to be one of a kind – a breastfeeding ‘flash mob’ that is taking place in Abingdon town centre!

Breastfeeding awareness fortnight runs from Monday 18 – Friday 29 June and is an opportunity for not just health professionals but also mums of babies in Oxfordshire to champion breastfeeding as the best possible way of feeding an infant.

A raft of activities is taking place from Witney to Banbury, all aimed at promoting the idea that if a baby receives its mother’s milk not only does it get the best start in life, its mother also gains significant health benefits as well. The finale to the fortnight sees a group of mums gather outside Costa Coffee in Abingdon centre to breastfeed their babies together. The ‘flash mob’ will be taking place at 11am on 29 June and mums are encouraged to join in!

A mother’s milk has excellent nutritional value and is known to lead to a baby having a better developed immune system, increased protection against allergies and improved digestion. Women who breast feed are at lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer, and of lower bone density and hip fractures. Breastfeeding a baby helps bonding between mother and child and there is some evidence that breast feeding may also protect women against negative moods and stress.

Health Visiting Team Leader Sian Taylor said: “Breastfeeding awareness fortnight gives everyone a chance to speak up about why breastfeeding really is the best way of feeding a baby. It has lots of benefits for both mum and baby and it’s cheap and easy – a completely portable way of feeding, with no hassle. There’s no need to sterilise bottles, make up feeds. It can even help mums lose weight as well.”

The programme of activities includes:

 – Chipping Norton: there will be an awareness-raising campaign asking shops to display ‘Breast feeding welcome’ signs throughout the week, and displays at the children’s centre

 – Wantage: tea and cake is being served at midwives drop-in clinic from 1 – 3pm on Monday 18 June. The ‘Babybar’ in Wantage is also welcoming back old attendees for tea and cake on Wednesday 20 June.

– Banbury: a health bus is coming to Morrisons in Banbury on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 June

 – Witney: a special breast feeding lunch at the weekly ‘Lunch Stop’ Breastfeeding group in Witney is taking place on Thursday 21 June.

 – Faringdon: a new breastfeeding support group is being launched at Faringdon Childrens Centre from 12.45pm – 1.45pm on Friday 22 June

 – Oxford: a breast feeding awareness display and session taking place at Spires school on Thursday 21 June and displays at Roundabout children’s centre and Barton neighbourhood centre throughout the week.

 – Berinsfield: a special celebration of breastfeeding day is taking place at Berinsfield Children’s Centre on Monday 25 June

 – Bicester: there will be an awareness-raising display in Bicester town centre on Monday 25 June. There will also be a campaign to ask cafes to display ‘Breast feeding welcome’ signs

 – Abingdon: the culmination of the fortnight’s activities will be a breastfeeding flashmob in Abingdon town centre on Friday 29 June