Little Summer Cairnes was always going to get the best start in life from mum Sue, who had already breastfed four children, including twins, before the 13-month-old little girl became the fifth addition to the family.

Mrs Cairnes, of Kings Road, Bradford, knows at first hand the benefits of breastfeeding for both mum and baby and yesterday visited Centenary Square with Summer to lend their support to a new breastfeeding bus advert campaign.

They were joined by NHS staff and other mums and babies from baby cafes across the district to see a double decker adorned with a striking advert with the straightforward message: "Breastfeeding - what nature intended".

The adverts will be carried on two buses in the district for the next 12 months and were unveiled during national breastfeeding awareness week to highlight the importance of the practice.

Mrs Cairnes said: "Because I have experience and I am confident, I just get on with it - but you do still hear stories of breastfeeding mums being turned away from cafes.

"But breastfeeding is a natural thing to do and it can be done discreetly."

The adverts make clear the advantages of breastfeeding for both mums and babies - no E numbers, no additives, no waste, no mess. They also point out how breastfeeding helps mums regain their figure.

For people who want to know more, the adverts also feature a website address www.bradford.nhs.uk/children/babies/ feeding.

Bradford has a lower than average rate of breastfeeding with 63 per cent of new mums choosing to breastfeed compared with the national average of 78 per cent.

Earlier this year a strategy for the Bradford district was started by the Strategic Health Improvement Partnership to push up the numbers of mums breastfeeding.

Babies who are breastfed have better health - including less heart disease, stomach upsets, urine and ear infections, eczema and childhood diabetes. Breast milk is the perfect food, providing everything a baby needs in the right quantities for the first months of life.

Breastfeeding also protects women against some diseases, including breast and ovarian cancer.

Janette Westman, the district's breastfeeding co-ordinator, said: "The bus adverts are really striking, so we're sure people will take notice of them and hopefully give breastfeeding a go."

Councillor Martin Smith, chairman of the partnership, a multi-agency partnership, including the NHS, Bradford Council and Bradford Vision, said: "Breastfeeding is the best start in life a child can have and has huge benefits for both the mother and child.

"It can boost their immune system for life, so I hope this campaign will encourage more mums to breastfeed."

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