AGROUP which helps support mums who breastfeed their children in public is set to be relaunched in Southampton.

The news comes as the city backs National Breastfeeding Awareness Week that runs until Saturday under the theme of ‘Breastfeeding – everyday makes a difference’.

The week is aimed at raising understanding and awareness of breastfeeding in an effort to increase the take up of feeding mums in Southampton.

As part of the campaign one of the country’s leading parenting charities the NCT is calling on shops, cafes and leisure facilities to do everything they can to let local breastfeeding mums know they are welcome.

According to the organisation support from local services can give mums the confidence t o breastfeed their baby in public and give their baby the healthiest possible start in life.

NCT member Lucy Best is relaunching a local support group which aims to give mums the confidence to breastfeed in public.

She said: “In most cases mums are concerned about how people will react to them breastfeeding in public. It can be quite scary for mums doing it for the first time and they might feel they are faffing about trying to keep the baby hidden but still comfortable.

“Breastfeeding is all about supply and demand and the regular feeds encourage more milk to be produced. If a feed or two is missed because the mum doesn’t feel comfortable feeding in public the supply can be affected.”

The group helps mums master comfortable feeding in public.

The next meeting of the support group is being held on the first Wednesday in June at Southampton Common.

A host of events are being held including information stands at supermarkets and shopping centres. Stands will be manned at Sainsbury’s Shirley Precinct branch today and at WestQuay Shopping Centre tomorrow.

The annual Breastfeeding Picnic is also being held on Southampton Common on Thursday. Parents are invited to bring their own food to the picnic which is being held between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

In the event of bad weather the picnic will take place at St Andrew’s United Reformed Church hall in The Avenue.

There will also be a raffle with all profits going to buy muchneeded equipment for the Breastfeeding Babes at the Princess Anne hospital.