AFTER getting just one star for breastfeeding services in a national review, the maternity ward at Warrington Hospital is embarking upon a new approach to feeding.

All staff members are to get training on the benefits of breastfeeding over bottle feeding in an effort to raise the number of new mums who think that "breast is best".

A report from the Healthcare Commission on maternity services last month gave Warrington Hospital one out of five for breastfeeding services.

The new training programme hopes to combat this, and will also help the hospital on its way to getting Unicef Baby Friendly status.

"We are very passionate about getting the message across to women," said acting infant feeding co-ordinator and midwife Ann-Marie Hatton.

"The culture of bottle feeding has been going for many, many decades," said her colleague Avril Smith, a lactation consultant and Sure Start health visitor.

"This is about changing people's perceptions and their attitudes."

The number of women who decide to breastfeed is much lower in Warrington than elsewhere in the country, but the health benefits to both mums and babies are well documented, said Avril and Ann-Marie.

"Two big studies that have come out recently show that it helps prevent obesity and diabetes later in life," said Avril.

Almost half-48 per cent-of the Warrington population are overweight and 12.6 per cent of all six-year-olds in the town are obese.

"We need to change the culture. So many people think my mum bottle fed, it was good enough for me, so that's what I'll do'," said Avril.

Buying formula costs around £500 a year, where breastfeeding is free. "That's a holiday to me," said Ann-Marie.

Breast milk naturally changes its nutritional content with time, so there is no need for follow-on milks either, said Avril.

And Avril and Ann-Marie say that there is no evidence for most of the old wives tales surrounding formula milk-babies don't sleep any better or grow any quicker.

"You nurture your body when you are pregnant, everything is natural and you are probably the healthiest you've ever been," said Ann-Marie.

"Why change from natural food once your baby is born?" she asked.

Every year gastroenteritis in bottle fed babies costs the NHS £53m, said Ann-Marie, and babies who are bottle fed are 15 times more likely to need visits to a GP.

Ann-Marie and Avril run breastfeeding support clinics across town:

Monday 10am to noon at Warrington Hospital breastfeeding room. Call 662092.

Tuesday 9.30am to 11.30am at The Beaches, Sandy Lane, Orford. Call 425580.

Tuesday 1pm to 2.30pm at Dallam Children's Centre. Call 636856.

Wednesday 9am to 11am at Callands Children's Centre. Call 662092.

Wednesday 11.30am to 1.30pm at Spencer House, Birchwood. Call 843864.

Wednesday 1pm to 2.30pm at The Orchards Children's Centre, Brook Acre School. Call 656580.

Thursday 10am to noon at westy Children's Centre, Tinsley Street, Latchford. Call 637611.