BREAST-FEEDING mothers who are passing on their knowledge to new parents were honoured yesterday.

Soap star Samantha Giles, best known for playing Bernice Thomas, in Emmerdale, presented the eight women with breastfeeding qualifications at Liverpool Aquatics, in Wavertree.

The mothers have completed the La Leche League peer counsellor programme at Wavertree Children’s Centre, giving them the skills to offer new mothers breastfeeding support.

Their mission is now to become breastfeeding ambassadors in the community, urging scores of local mothers to breast feed and provide them with information and encouragement.

Lucy Murphy, 26, who came to the event with her seven-month-old daughter Evie, will be helping new mothers in Fazakerley, where she lives.

She said: “I found breast-feeding really difficult to start with and wished I had more support.

“People say you should breast feed but they don’t really explain why.

“I will now be talking to others mums at parents’ groups to answer their questions and the course has helped me to do that in a more informed way. The first six weeks are definitely the hardest, so I hope to help mums persevere with it.”

Ms Giles, who now lives in Liverpool thanks to her role in Hollyoaks, and is a breastfeeding mother herself, congratulated the women on completing the programme and presented their certificates.

She said: “It is worth giving a go and new mums do need more support and advice.

“A lot of people do find it difficult and there isn’t really any support network yet, apart from visiting a hospital which can be intimidating.”

The mothers completed the course over 12 weeks, between September and December 2008.

Doreen Newby, manager at Wavertree Children’s Centre, said: “We are really proud of all the mums who have completed this fantastic programme.

“They are now equipped with the skills they need to provide valuable support to new mums, promote awareness and education, and provide a better understanding of breastfeeding.

“It’s a fantastic example of how our Children’s Centres can help people of all ages learn new skills and gain qualifications which benefit families throughout the community.”

The city council’s executive member for children and families, Councillor Keith Turner, added: “It’s great news that local mothers have completed this programme. Liverpool still has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding among new mothers in the country, a trend we’re working hard to reverse.

“Thanks to these mums, with the support of Wavertree Children’s Centre, we have a fantastic new team of breast-feeding champions who can help educate many, many women about breast-feeding and its benefits for the health of both baby and mother.”

lizawilliams