A BREASTFEEDING support group enjoyed its relaunch party in Oxford recently in an effort to boost funding.

Oxfordshire Breastfeeding Support, formerly Oxford Baby Cafés Group, invited new and expecting mothers to enjoy the ‘rebirth’ party at the Donnington Doorstep Family Centre.

MP for Oxford East, Anneliese Dodds also attended the event for the organisation which will now operate as an independent charity.

The group underwent the name change in an effort to improve its financial prospects after council and NHS funding for groups operating under the baby café banner was reduced.

Lisa Mansour, of Oxfordshire Breastfeeding Support said: “The relaunch was really nice.

“There were a few new mums who came along and a few who already knew us when we were the baby cafe.”

The group had operated as a local baby cafe drop-in for10 years, however, Ms Mansour explained how doing so had meant funding streams were limited.

She said: “We have greatly appreciated the support of national Baby Cafe but we were getting less funding because of all the austerity cuts.

“Being under the Baby Cafe banner meant we didn’t have our own charity number so that stopped us accessing our own funding.

“The relaunch means we’ll have a lot more freedom in terms of raising money.”

Oxfordshire Breastfeeding Support provides local breastfeeding support in the community in weekly Drop-ins across Oxford.

Ms Mansour said the meetings can provide specific help and advice to mothers from specially trained consultants, as well as a place to socialise and meet new friends.

Ms Mansour, who is herself a trained lactation consultant said: “We are running the service as specialists but also we are there for mums who want to have a cup of tea with other parents and to socialise, and we’re all their to support each other.

She added: “Around 80 per cent of new mothers in Oxford choose to breast feed.

“You obviously have midwives who have all the skills and knowledge but sometimes they often just don’t have the time to offer their expertise.”

Labour MP Ms Dodds said: “It was great to see so many mums who had benefited from the support provided by Oxford Baby Cafés, attending the launch of Oxfordshire Breastfeeding Support.

“All the evidence shows that where mums are able to breastfeed their babies, this has a positive impact on the health of both the baby and their mother.”

For more information on Oxfordshire Breastfeeding Support or to find out when the next meeting will be held, visit www.oxbreastfeedingsupport.org or search Oxfordshire Breastfeeding Support on Facebook.