The number of mums who breastfeed their babies in Cambridgeshire are higher than the national average - but the figure drops dramatically within the first few weeks.

The UK has one of the lowest breast feeding rates in the EU of 81 per cent. Cambridgeshire bucks the trend with around 89 per cent of mums leaving hospital breastfeeding their baby.

The number of babies in the county receiving breast milk at six months, however, fall to  just one in three at six months, reflecting the national trend of only 17 per cent continuing to breastfeed after their baby is three months old.

Now health visitors from Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust (CCS) hope to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding a baby for at least six months, during the National Celebration of Breastfeeding week - 20 and 28 June.

Bridget Halnan, infant feeding lead at CCS said: “The benefits of breastfeeding extend well beyond basic nutrition.

“Our aim is to ensure all parents make informed decisions in their chosen feeding method and are given the support they need during, what can be, a difficult time for some mums.”

The Department of Health recommendation is that a baby needs nothing other than breast milk for the first six months of its life.

Breast milk is packed with disease-fighting antibodies that may protect a baby from illness including Multiple Sclerosis (MS), appendicitis and tonsillitis. A new study by researchers at the University of Haifa, Israel, found breastfeeding for six months or longer reduces the risk of childhood leukaemia – the most common cancer among children – by as much as 19 per cent.  Research has also shown that breast fed babies may have better brain development.

Lucie Arnaud found it easier to breastfeed her first and second babies. But with Ella, her third baby it has proved more “challenging”..

Lucie, from Cambridge, said:  “This time I have to really concentrate and relax and it’s a bigger effort because Ella was tongue-tied at birth, and she is not a very efficient feeder which makes me very anxious when breastfeeding her.”

Tongue-tie or Ankyloglossia is when babies have tight skin on the underside of the tongue making it harder for them to attach properly to the mother’s breast.

“My experience with Ella has made me realise that every baby is different and for some mums it can be quite difficult,” said Lucie, 36.

She is nevertheless “determined” to continue feeding Ella for as long as she can and hopes the “fantastic support” she’s had from her health visitor and infant feeding expert at CCS makes it possible.

 Lucie said: “I want to continue because of the immunity breast milk provides. I strongly believe that the antibodies in breast milk help prevent childhood illnesses.

“It is also very convenient: much easier than having to sterilise bottles.

“Besides, all the information out there is that it provides health benefits for the baby and for the mum. I’m very health conscious.

“But I don’t agree with putting pressure on women who can’t or won’t do it. Everyone should have a choice.”

Women who breastfeed are at lower risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, hip fractures and possibly rheumatoid Arthritis and heart disease.

Babies who are breast fed are at lower risk of allergic disease (asthma, eczema and hay fever), childhood Leukaemia, cot death, diabetes (the type where you require injections), diarrhoea as well as  ear, chest and urinary tract infections.

Health visitors from CCS host drop-in-clinics around the county for breastfeeding mums and mums to be, where they can get advice and support and meet other mums.

Details of drop-in-clinics are posted on the Facebook page www.facebook.com/cambridgeshireinfantfeeding

The NHS Breast Start App can also help you with all things Breastfeeding. It links with NHS Choices where you get tips on how to breastfeed, express milk, decide for your circumstances where your baby should sleep and much more.

CCS is currently adapting it to allow you to find the location of your nearest breastfeeding clinic. The free App has been designed by an NHS group of Health Visitors to help mums feel more confident about breastfeeding when out and about. It can be downloaded free to your i phone or android and accessed 24/7.