A breastfeeding support group is starting in the South Hams.

Dartmouth Nurslings is launching tomorrow on Thursday, February 14, running relaxed drop-in sessions every week in Dartmouth.

The aim of the group is to offer mother breastfeeding support within the local community by providing moral support, encouragement, advice and the sharing of information for women and their families at every stage of their breastfeeding journey.

Dartmouth Nurslings also hopes to normalise breastfeeding and spread the understanding of the benefits to mother and baby.

It is being run by volunteers Jessica Hooper, Emily Tucker, Zee Elsdon and Lisa Bruckner.

Although the support is informal, the group plans to fundraise and provide trained breastfeeding peer supporters to enhance the advice that could be provided.

It will be a group for moral support and any complex difficulties such as weight gain, tongue tie, mastitis or thrush will be signposted back to the mother’s midwife, GP or health visitor.

In the future, Dartmouth Nurslings hopes to raise funds for a breast pump, training and charity donations and to hold pop up sessions for mother and baby.

One of the group leaders, Jessica said: “Being a group of mothers who have first hand experience of nursing, we know how crucial support is when establishing and maintaining breastfeeding.

“One of our members had an awful experience when feeding for the first time in public at Costa in Plymouth. Her partner went to order their drinks and a man came over and had a go at her for feeding her four-week old baby in public.

“This really upset her and understandably effected her confidence. She did not have a group to turn to at this time for support.

“Had she of she would have been reassured that by law she can feed her baby where ever she needs to, and that Costa welcomes mothers who breastfeed.

“It is cases like this and other personal accounts of issues with breastfeeding due to lack of support that has inspired us to start this group.”

Jessica said the group met with MP Sarah Wollaston recently who was supportive and encouraging.

“Our local breastfeeding group was cancelled three years ago due to council funding changes to the Children’s Centre.

“We feel strongly that this is a very short sighted funding cut. The benefits of breastfeeding are so far reaching.

“There are many positive long and short term health benefits for child and mother. These health benefits would relieve the pressure on the NHS in the long run.

“There is also the financial saving of not having to purchase formula, approximately £500 per year, which in our current climate would be beneficial for many families.”

Jessica also said the local community have been very supportive such as the Flavel Church which agreed to host the sessions for no cost.

The group would also like to thank the Compass Office shop for printing the posters, Slim Designs graphic design company for printing the flyers, graphic designer Rachel Leech for designing the logo and Lolostock which donated photographs for use on social media.

The weekly sessions will run every Thursday from 10.30am to 12pm at the Flavel Church in Dartmouth and are free with a donation of £1 for teas and coffees.

Toys will be available for older children and other family members and friends are welcome to join mothers at the group.

The Facebook group is called Dartmouth Nurslings.