Breastfeeding has been made simple for new mothers in Pinehurst.

Sure Start's breastfeeding support group has helped more than 20 mothers get to grips with feeding time.

And organisers are hoping that last week's Breastfeeding Aware-ness Week will encourage more mums to attend sessions at the Pinehurst People's Centre.

Tiina Korhonen, 38, a Sure Start midwife, said that the group offered more than just advice to mothers.

"It's run on a drop-in style principle allowing women to have a cup of tea and a chat with other mums," she said.

"We find that people learn a lot from talking to each other about their own experiences.

"The group also has a health professional, usually a midwife or a nursery nurse, to deal with more specific questions and problems.

"We started just before Christ-mas so it's quite new but hopefully the groups will become busier as the word spreads."

Mum-of-four Barbara Pike recently completed a six-week breastfeeding peer supporter course run by Sure Start.

Mrs Pike, 31, of St Mary's Grove, Swindon, said: "Even though I breast fed all my children before I did the course there were still things I didn't know.

"Aspects of breastfeeding need to be learned. It isn't easy, but now mothers can come along for help.

"I'm still breastfeeding my youngest, David, who is 15-months old, but a lot of mums stop feeding when babies are still a few weeks old.

"They think the baby isn't receiving enough milk so opt for a bottle instead but the woman's body is very clever and produces exactly the right amount to satisfy the baby's needs.

"Some mums carry on feeding until their children are three or four. It's all about personal choice and what feels right in the individual situations."

The group, which meets on Fridays from 9.30am until 11.30am at the Beech Avenue centre, runs a creche for toddlers and baby massage lessons. There is no charge.

Mrs Pike will be at Great Western Hospital's maternity unit from next week giving support to new mums.

The Department of Health advocates breastfeeding as the best form of nutrition for infants, and as nutritionally adequate for the first six months of life.

For more information call the Hospital's infant feeding co-ordinator Angela Carter on Swindon 604020 or the breastfeeding support group on Swindon 651828.