The Week, which runs from 11 to the 18 May, will be launched in style, this coming Monday, 12 May, in St Columb’s Park House, Derry, at 10.00pm; mums, expectant mums and children are being invited to come along and enjoy a host of events, as diverse as: yogacise, reflexology, antenatal hypnotherapy and flamenco dancing! Bridgeen and daughter Rosie will definitely be there.

The following day, Tuesday, 13 May, sees the unveiling of an innovative mural, entitled “Breastfeeding: The Ultimate Superfood!”, on Free Derry Wall; a collaboration between artist Sarah Greavu and some of the mums from the North West Breastfeeding Network (NWBN), the mural will be on display over the next few weeks.

But back to the beginning; I was keen to find out why Bridgeen, one of the newer members of our Burt community, was so convinced of the benefits of breastfeeding that she, first joined the NWBN (a telephone and drop-in support group for new mothers), and then undertook its training programme.

As she says herself: “Once I had read up on the benefits of breastfeeding, especially the fact that it promotes bonding between Mother and baby, I really considered no other option. It was the same for Martin (Bridgeen’s husband and popular member of the St Aengus Choir). I could not have done it without his support; he was one hundred percent behind my decision.”

Bridgeen’s views are very much echoed by Health Visitor, Bernie Webster, who facilitates the NWBN: “Conditions such as eczema, asthma and allergies, are greatly reduced by breastfeeding and child-onset diabetes is very unusual in fully breastfed babies. I would definitely recommend the Health Promotion Agency’s website www.breastfedbabies.org, to any mother who is contemplating breastfeeding.”

It was Barbara, Bridgeen’s midwife, who initially suggested that she should pop in to the weekly NWBN meetings, which take place, in the Well Woman Centre, 17, Queen Street, Derry, every Thursday, from 11.00am until 1.00pm:

“As an older, first-time mother, the support and advice, which I got from the other mothers in the network, was incredible; while Bernie dolled out the tea and buttered scones, we talked away about everything, from breastfeeding, to sleep patterns, to remedies for teething and colic. And a lot more besides!” she laughs.

Out of curiosity, I asked Bridgeen, how she would encourage new mothers to breastfeed:

“I really don’t think that you could give your child a bigger gift in life. Just the knowledge that I may, in some way, have improved Rosie’s future health, through breastfeeding, is amazing; the experts say that, as adults, breast fed children are less prone to obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease. Sure, when you think about that, it is just fantastic.

“Also, I found breastfeeding very, very convenient; I could feed any where, any time. Rosie was born in early November and, when she was six weeks old, I resumed light training.