A GROUP of mums have been credited with helping drive up breast feeding rates in the north east of Glasgow.

Figures show there has been a steady increase in the number of mums exclusively breastfeeding their babies 6-8 weeks after birth, from 17.9% to 20.1% in the last two years.

Ten Breastfeeding Network (BfN) peer support volunteers have helped more than 100 mums in the past year alone.

Stacey Steel, 32, from Ruchazie, who is part of the group, said: “I was really lucky that Ben latched on right away and I know it’s not always that easy for mums. The books don’t tell you it can be hard to breastfeed in the beginning, but it’s so worth it in the long run.”

Christine Walker, of Glasgow City HSCP, said: “These are mums who have been through it all, the highs and lows of being a new mum. And they are there to be a friend when women need it most.”