MIDWIVES and supporters of breastfeeding will be aiming to bring home the message 'Breast is Best' as part of National Breastfeeding Awareness Week this week.

Midwives at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn and health visitors from Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust will be organising poster displays and drop-in sessions to promote breastfeeding.

And members of the National Childbirth Trust locally will also be promoting the week, which runs from May 12 to 18, by offering their free counselling service to new mums.

There will also be a poster display at Blackburn College between 11.30am and 1.30pm tomorrow.

Queen's Park Hospital has been accredited as a World Health Organisation and UNICEF Baby Friendly Hospital since 1998, and was re-accredited in March 2002, recognising the hospital's efforts at promoting and supporting breastfeeding.

Louise Dunn, trainee breastfeeding counsellor with NCT in East Lancashire, said: "Breastfeeding for several months is not only good for baby but for the mum too. It helps with weight loss after pregnancy, means you have a lower risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer before the menopause and a lower the risk of fractures due to osteoporosis."

The National Childbirth Trust also provides a free breastfeeding counselling service on 0870 444 8708, from 8am to 10pm.

The awareness week is a Department of Health campaign aimed at young mothers and mothers-to-be, their families, friends and health workers.