Local mums make lifelong friendships while receiving free breastfeeding support from Oldham Family Hubs

Mums are receiving life-changing support from free Baby Bistros across Oldham's Family Hubs.

The Bistros, as part of the Family Hubs commitment to giving children to best start in life, are run by the council's commissioned provider Home-Start HOST in partnership with Oldham health visitors.

They have seen a big increase in the numbers of mothers who are accessing the Bistros, which provide infant feeding information and practical advice, while making lifelong friendships along the way.

Lois Hill, 21, is one of the mums attending the Greenfield Baby Bistro.

It was recommended to her by her midwife after discovering that her daughter Maeve, who is five weeks old, has a tongue-tie and struggles to feed.

Incredibly, Lois discovered that she had met the Bistros' Infant Feeding Specialist Joanne Mayall, from the Northern Care Alliance NHS Trust's Right Start and School Nursing Team, before when she was just six months old.

Jo and Lois' mum Paula Stoneman took part in a Granada news feature about breastfeeding in the cafe at the former Debenhams store in Oldham 21 years ago and were amazed to be reunited after being filmed together with their babies all those years ago.

Sarah Mistry, who brings her eight-month-old daughter Jasmine to the bistro, said about the infant feeding support sessions: "When I walked through the door I burst into tears.

"I've been coming each week and now we're a group of mums who go out together and our babies play together. It has been life-changing."

Natasha Gilbody has been bringing her son Remy since he was just three days old.

She said: "Nine months later and he's exclusively breastfed, and I don't see us stopping breastfeeding until he is at least two and that's thanks to the support I've had."

And Laura Martin has attended with both daughters Sophia, eight months, and Eva, four.

She said: “As well as feeding in this room we go out to eateries together. It has given us confidence.”

Last month the Bistros marked World Breastfeeding Week, which celebrates mums and their diverse breastfeeding journeys.

Jo said about the Bistros: "They help with isolation and loneliness at a crucial time for mums, and they are meeting friends for life.

"Practically, they are supported with breastfeeding and they also make lifelong friends.

"They can also bring dads and grandmas, and our Bistros are inter-generational."

Denise Farrow, Operations Manager for Home-Start HOST, said: "The Bistros support breastfeeding because they are with like-minded mums and it encourages you to carry on.

"And babies also make their first friends."

Baby Bistros are held at Shaw Family Hub at 9.30-11.30am on Mondays, Failsworth Library at 1-2.30pm on Tuesdays, Beever Family Hub at 9.30-11.30am on Wednesdays, Stanley Road Family Hub at 9.30-11.30am on Thursdays and Greenfield Satellite Centre at 9.30-11.30am on Fridays.

To find your nearest Baby Bistro, visit the Home-Start website.

And for info on the benefits of breastfeeding, please click here

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