Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Buddies are a ‘lifeline’, say breastfeeding mums
MUMS across Dundee say buddies have provided the ‘breast’ way to help support them and their babies.
They shared their stories on Dundee support group Breast Buddies to highlight World Breastfeeding Week, which runs until Friday.
Home Start, who help families with young children across the city, runs the group with funding from NHS Tayside in a bid to improve breastfeeding rates in the city.
Topics discussed include, latching, positioning, amount of feeding and more.
Amy Yalden, co-ordinator of the group, alongside Jill Moran, said: “You are forever learning. What works for one mum maybe doesn’t work for another.”
Seona Galbally gave birth to twin boys Ziggy and Zen 17 months ago.
She said: “Breast Buddies has been my lifeline as a single mother of twins living alone.
“From the day I first arrived in tears with two screaming four-week-old babies, carrying a tandem feeding pillow awkwardly stuffed into a double buggy, they’ve given me the love, support and confidence to carry on exclusively breastfeeding my boys to nearly 18 months so far – rain, hail or shine.”
Gillian Stewart who give birth to daughter Nina three months ago said: “During lockdown with no baby groups running, Breast Buddies’ online community has helped me through the tough days and kept me connected with other feeding mums.
“I love the strong bond that breastfeeding gives us.”
Chelsea Cavanagh gave birth to daughter Cora three months ago.
She said: “Breast Buddies have helped and supported me to feed my baby girl myself after facing some struggles. I think I would have given up if it wasn’t for the girls at Breast Buddies.”
Christine Milne gave birth to her boy Aiden a year ago.
She said: “We have gone to Breast Buddies since my boy was one week old. I was naive and thought breast-feeding would be easy, but we quickly found out it was going to be a harder journey.
“The first time we visited I was so nervous. We were welcomed and the girls and the other mums quickly made me feel at ease. My wee boy is now one and if it wasn’t for lockdown I would still be going along. Its so nice to get a cuppie and a catch-up and meet so many lovely mums. It’s just a great group to go to and the help we have had has been invaluable.”
For more information on Breast Buddies visit the group’s Facebook page.