NW Baps and Mothers' Village scoop breastfeeding awards

There was double cause for celebration in the city as the community volunteers supporting Derry’s breastfeeding mothers and their babies triumphed at the ‘Friends of Breastfeeding’ awards ceremony.

North West BAPS (Breastfeeding and Perinatal Support) won the Breastfeeding Initiative of the Year award and Mothers’ Village facilitated by Helen Hancock won Support Group of the Year.

Dr  Maria Herron who collected the award on behalf of North West BAPS at the ‘Friends of Breastfeeding’ awards gala in Tullamore, County Offaly on Saturday said the achievement marked a “significant milestone” for the Derry-based, parent-led group which “works  tirelessly to raise awareness and visibility about breastfeeding”.

She added: “The recognition is particularly impactful given the context:for over three decades, Derry City and Strabane District Council has faced some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world. 

“North West BAPS’ nomination, shortlisting, and ultimate success in receiving this award underscores the importance of their efforts to help ensure that every family wishing to breastfeed has access to high-quality support if they need it.

“This award is for everyone on the core team: Dr. Noella Gormley, Sinead O'Kane, Jessica Clarke, Joanie Callaghan, Sarah Concannon as well as myself.”

Dr Herron also acknowledged the wider North West BAPS Network, co-chaired by Derry City and Strabane District Council.

The Network consists of 35 parents, advocates and organisations, who have come together to share information and to consider ways of improving breastfeeding support locally.

“Through determination and collaboration, North West BAPS is breaking barriers and creating meaningful change for families across the North West, and is taking a step forward in reshaping the narrative around breastfeeding,” said Dr Herron.

She added: "This award represents the power of people working together on a common aim - to reclaim breastfeeding as a community resource which provides fantastic health benefits for babies and mothers, as well as being the ultimate zero waste food for babies. This award is a celebration of our initiative, and a beacon of hope for our future endeavours."

Former Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Sandra Duffy extended “huge congratulations” to NW BAPS on its ‘Friends of Breastfeeding’ award.

One of those who supported the establishment of the group, Cllr Duffy said: “NW BAPS is a fantastic energetic, passionate group of women.

“They saw the issues faced by new mums and decided if anything was to change they needed to be part of it. 

“They have achieved so much in the last three years, making breastfeeding more visible and accepted in an area with historic low levels.

“Educating and supporting mums and families on their own journeys. I couldn’t be prouder of them in winning the initiative of the year, so well deserved,” said Cllr Duffy.

Helen Hancock said Mothers’ Village winning the ‘Friends of Breastfeeding’ award was a “lovely surprise”.

“I wasn’t expecting it but I was delighted. It was really nice. I suppose because I have attended a few years now I would know quite a lot of people and because I am Cuidiú as well, there is a very strong Cuidiú presence at it, which is great.

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“So, I was surrounded by all the people that are part of my world, from Cuidiú and the Cuidiú president, Dr Sarah Brennan who is part of Baby Law Ireland, were all at the table with us and it was really, really cool. We had a great time. 

“Our award was based entirely on an online concept of running a group online like that that’s global. This gives you a lot more scope to be able to do more but it is maybe not something that a lot of people would find easy because it is a constant, on demand type environment. 

“But, once you build up the people that are within it and it is like a constant giving back. People would give out the messages I’ve been putting out for years and now other mammys do the same; they put it out and it is a continuation of positive and good information and a really good way to support people,” said Ms Hancock.

NW BAPS can be contacted via its Facebook and Instagram pages. Helen Hancock can be contacted via www.https://www.cuidiu.ie. Her number is under Breastfeeding Counsellors.