AN information day for new mums will be held in the Borders next week.

The Healthy Living Network is hosting a Bump to Baby fair on Tuesday, April 29 at Hawick Leisure Centre from 12noon–2pm.

This event is aimed at mums to be and their partners, friends and families with babies up to six months of age.

The day is an opportunity to meet professionals and local organisations who can provide support and information about pregnancy and being a parent.

A free hand-made baby blanket, donated by Project Links UK, will be given to all bumps and babies at this event.

The event includes three snapshot sessions on bonding and attachment covering pregnancy, birth and beyond, there will also be two pop-up Bookbug sessions for the babies to enjoy.

NHS Borders Joint Health Improvement Team’s Healthy Living Network helps women who are breastfeeding by raising awareness of the professional advice and support that all new mothers are offered by their midwives and health visitors within the Borders.

Dr Eric Baijal, Joint Director of Public Health for NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council, said: “Breastfeeding is key to better health in babies and has additional health benefits for mothers. “We are very keen in the Borders to encourage breastfeeding. We want to foster a culture where this is the natural and preferred way for mothers to feed babies where possible.

“Mothers often need encouragement, support and advice and the peer support volunteers are a crucial addition to the existing support women receive from health professionals.” NHS Borders now has 14 trained peer breastfeeding supporters. Their role includes helping mums with difficulties they might face surrounding breastfeeding.

The support they provide is in addition to and complements the care women receive from NHS Borders health professionals.