BREASTFEEDING mums in Okehampton are celebrating after completing a special course — and are now set to set up their own support group.

Twelve Okehampton mums have just completed the La Leche League peer supporters training, to enable them to support new mums wishing to breastfeed in the area.

The graduates were presented with certificates to mark their achievement by Okehampton county councillor Christine Marsh.

Ruth Bushell, local co-ordinator for Okehampton's children centre, said: 'Recent changes to legislation has given new mothers the right to breastfeed their babies in cafés and shops.

'The changes to the equality laws extend protection against discrimination for pregnant women and mothers with young babies beyond employment rights for the first time.

'It now means that women breastfeeding infants of up to 6 months can no longer be told to leave cafés, shops and other places — still a relatively frequent occurrence according to campaigners.

'If women are denied the right to breastfeed when they are out and about or don't feel comfortable enough to feed in public, they are being forced to deprive their baby of the healthiest start in life.'

The newly graduated mums have been heavily involved in setting up a breastfeeding support group that will be meeting weekly at the Baptist Church Hall in Okehampton on Tuesday mornings from 10am to 11.30am. The first meeting took place this week.

In a statement, the group said: 'This will be the ideal place to pop in and breastfeed your baby, to meet other breastfeeding mums and to receive up to date information about breastfeeding.

'We are also hoping to highlight recent legislation that now makes it illegal to prevent a woman breastfeeding in public.

'We believe that mums should have the freedom to feed their babies when they need to be fed and feel confident and comfortable breastfeeding their babies, where ever they are.'

Staff from the maternity unit and children's centre will be supporting the group.

For more details contact Okehampton Children's Centre on 01837 658621.