ÖPIK PRAISES PROMOTION OF BREAST MILK - THE ORIGINAL SUPERFOOD!

4.07.07pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Jul 2008

Montgomeryshire Lembit Öpik recently presented certificates to the county's newly trained breastfeeding peer support counsellors.

Commenting, he said:

"Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the UK and here in Wales we have one of the highest rates of heart disease in Western Europe.

"We all know someone whose life has been touched by this illness. But did you know that something as free, easy and natural as breastfeeding can reduce the risk of a heart attack? By reducing the lifetime risk of obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, breast milk really gives babies the best possible start in life. It's the original "superfood!"

"Breastmilk substitutes, or infant formula milks, come with plenty of advertising, but actually, nature knows best. One way we're promoting the benefits of breast feeding is by helping mothers who have breastfed to help those who are just starting out.

"All over Wales groups of breastfeeding 'mother supporters' are springing up, supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, the NHS and many other community groups, and they are succeeding where years of simply telling mothers that 'breast is best' failed.

"This project is a winning example of a natural winning formula and I hope it will help many more women take advantage of something they've already got for free."