A support group for new mothers on the island has marked World Breastfeeding Week with a picnic at Onchan Park.

The Isle of Man branch of the La Leche League organised the picnic to raise awareness of the annual event, which is now in its 25th year.

World Breastfeeding Week runs from August 1 to August 7.

The Manx group is led by Jo Killey, Katie Davies and Siobhan Molloy. La Leche is Spanish for the milk.

The group aims to draw attention to the need for breastfeeding to be better supported.

Katie said: ’La Leche League Isle of Man is a very friendly, welcoming group of pregnant and breastfeeding mums.

’The group meet very regularly for socials, meetings and fundraisers, which includes visits to the Dragon’s Castle and the Parent and Baby cinema at the Broadway Cinema in the Villa Marina.

’We also organise the mums-to-be bags that expectant mums collect at Noble’s Hospital.

’The group’s next get together will be on the August 24 between 10.30 am and midday at the Dragon’s Castle in the Villa Marina for a fundraiser and social and all are very welcome.’

Anyone interested in joining the group or who would like further information can email [email protected] or visit the Facebook page ’La Leche League Isle of Man’

Going along to support groups gives a mother the opportunity to see other women breastfeed and hear their experiences. This week the UK national press yreported that pupils as young as 11 there could have lessons in breastfeeding in an effort to make it more widespread.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has recommended the move, as only 0.5 per cent of British women are still breastfeeding after one year. This compares to 23 per cent in Germany and 56 per cent in Brazil.

The lessons would teach girls and boys the basics in sex and relationship classes at secondary school.

Breastfeeding is said to have several benefits for both mother and child, such as preventing infections, staving off obesity and boosting IQ.

However, despite many campaigns by the UK government and the NHS rates have barely improved.

A UK survey of 1,000 mothers found that many gave up breastfeeding early because the lacked support and were worried their baby was not getting enough milk.

Read more about World Breastfeeding Week at www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org