Young mums declare "breast is best"

10:08pm Monday 17th March 2008

TWO young mums are proudly declaring that breast is best as part of a new campaign.

Hollie Unsworth, aged 17, and 20-year-old Abbi Rutter, are taking part in a huge poster campaign, which will see their images plastered across Lancashire.

Both women breast-fed their babies and were approached by health chiefs to appear as role models in the drive to encourage morw woemn to breast feed.

Hollie, who is studying for her A-levels at Turton Sixth Form, fell pregnant with 17-month-old Lewis when she was just 16.

She said: "I was asked by my midwife to help with the campaign and there was no way I could say no because she has been so amazing with me. Breastfeeding is a really wonderful experience, not only do you bond so well with your baby but there's no messing about with bottles."

Abbi, who works in advertising and has a son, Zac, aged almost five months, added: "At first I was very flattered to be asked to be offered the chance to be a model but when I found out I was going to be a role model to young women, I jumped at the chance. It's such an important message to get across."

The Be A Star campaign will run for the next six weeks and the posters will be displayed on the side of buses, in bus shelters, shopping centres, GPs surgeries, children's centres, libraries and colleges.

It started off on a small scale in Preston but has now expanded to include Lancashire County Council's Early Years Service, Little Angels Community Interest Company, Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust, East Lancashire PCT and Bolton PCT.

Michelle Atkin, who is one of the leads for the campaign, said: "Little Angels works with a wide range of partners in an effort to increase the uptake of breastfeeding among young women.

"Young, local mums have been involved in this exciting campaign which aims to raise the profile of breastfeeding and empower young women to breastfeed, while conveying the many health benefits for mother and baby."

Bolton has one of the worst breastfeeding rates in the country with just over 60 per cent of new mums breastfeeding their babies in the borough, compared to a national average of 78 per cent.

Hollie was just 16 when she discovered she was pregnant with Lewis. She admits the pregnancy was unplanned but says it is the best thing that has happened to her and boyfriend, Lee, aged 20.

The couple live in Spencers Wood, Bromley Cross and Hollie plans to go on to university to become a teacher when Lewis is older.

Her baby attends a nursery while she is at college and Lee is workig atn the Powergen call centre at Middlebrook.

She said: "It was a big shock to discover I was pregnant but our family is very important to us. I still have nights in with the girls and we know we could go out while the other babysits, but our priorities have completely changed.

"I find life as a mum absolutely amazing. It can be hard juggling college and looking after Lewis but I wouldn't swap it for the world."

Abbi and her partner, Stephen, of Arnside Grove, Breightmet, always wanted children young and were delighted Zac was born.

They are getting married next year.

Abbi said: "I was always the maternal one at school. I've been with Stephen for more than three years and the time was right for us to start a family."