Singer backs breastfeeding campaign

4:03pm Monday 12th May 2008

Welsh singer Charlotte Church has spoken about the joy and the pain of breastfeeding her eight-month-old daughter Ruby.

The singer and TV presenter is backing a Welsh Assembly Government campaign after statistics revealed that only 42% of Welsh mothers under 20 start to breastfeed compared with 76% of mothers over 30.

The 21-year-old, who breastfed her baby for the first six months, said she initially had a breast infection but later enjoyed the feeling of bonding with her baby and even fed her in public.

Speaking at the launch of the Mother's Milk campaign, Church said: "Your boobs are kind of stuck to you, so you're going to have food ready for your child.

"It's cheaper, it's clean, it's the right temperature and everybody knows mother's milk is best."

Church added: "I think people don't like the look of it, so to speak. People are more selfish these days and keep their body to themselves.

"I mostly breastfed at home, but if she really wanted feeding when we were out I've done it in Boots and a couple of times in restaurants. Nobody commented on me not to because I wouldn't have been that happy with those people. It's our right."

The campaign was launched at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

Sue Sky, breastfeeding co-ordinator for Wales, said: "There is a great deal of evidence to show that breastfeeding provides important health benefits for both mum and baby.

She added: "Charlotte Church is a fantastic example of a young mother deciding that breast really is best and we hope that she will serve as a role model to her many thousands of female fans."

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