BREASTFEEDING is natural and no woman should feel self-conscious doing it in public.

This was the message from Dorset HealthCare’s breastfeeding support team as they invited mothers to join them in a pop-up sitting room they set-up in Poole’s Falkland Square on Monday.

To mark National Breastfeeding Week, the group invited mothers to join them for a chat whilst they fed their babies.

Midwife Caroline Baddiley, a breastfeeding educator at Dorset HealthCare, said it was a great way to make women feel comfortable about breastfeeding in public.

“There still are negative perceptions of breastfeeding – some people think it is actually rude,” said Ms Baddiley. “It is because of mixed messages about breasts via the media. It is about breasts being sexualised when actually the breast's main function for women is for breastfeeding and nurturing their baby.

“Because of the health benefits it has to mother and baby we are trying to encourage mothers to continue breastfeeding and feel safe and comfortable doing it when they are out in the public.”

She said as well as encouraging a “special closeness and bond” between mother and child, breastfeeding reduces the chance of obesity, reduces the risk of childhood diabetes and has many other health benefits. And for women it reduces the chance of brittle bones and breast cancer.

Among the mothers in the pop-up sitting room was Tokozile Robbins, who has a 23-month old son and is expecting another baby in a month.

“In the beginning it is always hard for new mothers,” she said. “You are self-conscious, it is not always easy to be discreet because the baby needs to be in the right position. But if you persevere and practice at home with people you are comfortable with you build confidence.

“You will find when you are out and about you just need to feed your child – and it is the best way, easiest way, most hygienic way and nutritious way.”

To find out more about the breastfeeding support team please contact 01202 443062 or visit www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/services/children-and-families/breastfeeding.htm.