A YOUNG mum from Basingstoke has been speaking about the benefits of breast-feeding.

Hannah Law, aged 21, from Popley, spoke out in support of World Breastfeeding Week which is being staged this week in a bid to raise awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding.

Hannah, who gave birth to her son Harry on June 5 at Basingstoke’s maternity ward, said: “I definitely made the right decision to breastfeed. It helps me form a closer relationship with my son as no one else can be as close to him as I am when I’m feeding him. It’s physically better for him and me, and also helps save money.

“I had my first visit from my midwife the day after I was discharged. It was the same midwife whom I saw while I was pregnant so I felt comfortable with her and feel like I have a relationship with her.

“It’s good that I felt comfortable as I wouldn’t want to breastfeed in front of someone I don’t know very well. I had a few concerns and she was very helpful about it.”

Hannah is part of a NCT (National Childbirth Trust) group that consists of seven other mothers that she met while attending ante-natal classes.

Hannah said: “All eight of us breastfeed and seven of us gave birth to our babies at Basingstoke hospital. Overall we are all satisfied with breastfeeding, but some of the mothers had difficulties.”

Basingstoke hospital is one of the units in Hampshire that offers a breastfeeding support clinic from the post-natal ward in the Sherborne building.

Before new mothers leave Basingstoke hospital, among the information they are given is a list of telephone numbers of people including women who have breastfed and know what it is all about.

The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to the age of six months, with continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods up to two years and beyond.

In Hampshire, almost eight out of 10 new mums start to breastfeed their babies, but by eight weeks, over half have stopped.

Dr Ruth Milton, director of public health for NHS Hampshire said: “Breastmilk gives babies all the nutrients they need for the first six months of their life and helps protect them from infection and diseases.

“Studies have shown that women who have breastfed are at a lower risk of ovarian cancer, breast cancer and hip fractures in later life.”