FEEDING is the first thought for new mums and their babies alike.

Now, a new initiative offered by Wye Valley Health Trust turns those thoughts into action – from the off.

Community nursery nurses from the Trust’s health visiting service are now visiting the maternity ward at Hereford County Hospital on a daily basis to identify mums who would like specialist help and advice with breastfeeding their babies.

Earlier this year, the trust introduced additional new breastfeeding support services for new mums at home and at children’s centres across the county.

New mums can now also access this specialist support within a few hours of their babies being born, in addition to the midwifery support they receive on the wards.

Sarah Marsh, community nursery nurse at Wye Valley NHS Trust said: “Many of the mums we see have only just given birth and are often looking for advice with breastfeeding.

“Breastfeeding does not cost anything and it provides many health benefits such as protecting your baby from infections and diseases, helping to build a bond and it’s available whenever your baby needs it.”

Louise Shaw-Jones is certainly taken with the service.

She said: “As a new mum I wanted to give Gethin the very best start in life by breastfeeding him.

“It’s all new to me but with Sarah’s help we are off to a great start.”

In Herefordshire, community nursery nurses, midwives and health visitor’s work together as one team alongside children centre staff to provide a seamless service for women and their families.

Together they aim to improve their health and well-being, through increased levels of support, earlier involvement and additional support groups.

For more on breastfeeding support, parents can contact their midwife or health visitor. The midwife and health visitor can be accessed through a patient’s GP surgery.