A BRAND-NEW Baby Caf� has opened its doors in Lowestoft for new parents. The free caf� is based at The Ark Children's Centre in Water Lane and is open every Thursday from 1pm to 3pm.

A BRAND-NEW Baby Caf� has opened its doors in Lowestoft for new parents.

The free caf� is based at The Ark Children's Centre in Water Lane and is open every Thursday from 1pm to 3pm.

The project has been funded by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney (NHS GYW) and The Lowestoft Children's Centre to support breastfeeding mothers as well as offer guidance to fathers and other family members.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney's Breastfeeding Team is leading this Baby Cafe project, along with the support from local midwives, health visitors and the Children's Centre staff as Key UNICEF trained partners.

Margaret Holtz, Specialist Practitioner/Health Visitor and Breast Feeding Team Lead, said: 'We want to encourage mums and parents to come to the Baby Caf� because they are then more confident about socialising in any cafe and continue to breastfeed for longer.

'Mum and baby will then enjoy longer health benefits, and with the local population celebrating more mothers' breastfeeding in the area, the knock on effect encourages more mums and mums-to-be to give it a go.'

The caf�, provides free expert breastfeeding advice and support for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Fathers are also encouraged to be there and create a normal social cafe culture breastfeeding environment. Tea, coffee, cake and lots of fruit are provided to encourage healthy snacks that support breastfeeding.

Ms Holtz added: 'Being a Baby Caf� means adhering to their set of quality standards. The caf� has to be licensed and this means that a licensed Baby Caf� is run by very experienced UNICEF trained staff who deliver the highest standard of advice and support to mothers, fathers and the family.

'Every mother in the NHS GYW area will find that there is access to a Baby Caf� somewhere across the area from Monday to Friday.'

Baby Cafes are held on Monday in Beccles, Tuesday in Great Yarmouth, Wednesday in Martham, Thursday in Lowestoft and Friday in Gorleston. They are all held in the local children's centres.

For further details contact the Breastfeeding Team on 01493 852209 or visit www.thebabycafe.co.uk