HEALTH workers in Bolton are pulling out all the stops in a bid to promote breast feeding.

Breast Feeding Awareness Week from May 20-26 is aimed at encouraging more women to recognise the positive aspects of breast feeding.

Bolton's Joint Breast Feeding Initiative Group, made up of midwives, health visitors and guests has set up displays in health centres, in the foyer of the Princess Anne Maternity Unit and town centre stores.

Certificates will be presented to Mothercare, BHS, Debenhams and Whitaker's, for their positive attitude towards breast feeding mothers. Research suggests less than 50 per cent of mothers who give birth in Bolton breast feed. Now the group behind Bolton's efforts to encourage breast feeding, is looking to find out why so many women chose to forego breast feeding.

Wigan and Bolton Health Authority has provided the resources for an audit into breast feeding practices among Bolton women.

"Our whole approach is a positive one and are particularly anxious to stress the very real benefits there are to it, by adopting positive attitude to breast feeding mums will, be successful," said Sue Bains, City Challenge project midwife and a member of the Bolton Joint Breast-feeding Initiative Group.

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