New mums were given the chance to learn some vital life saving skills.

With health visitors from East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH) organising a series of baby weaning sessions in the Waveney area, which includes advice and instructions for new parents on what to do if a baby starts to choke, a session was recently successfully held in Lowestoft.

Parents with children up to the age of one joined the class at the Ark Children's Centre, which was organised by ECCH health visitors after mums told them they thought it would be useful to learn what to do in the event that their child started to choke.

Nursery nurses discussed health eating for children and explained how best to introduce solid food to children's diets and an ECCH specialist trainer helped parents and carers practice the correct procedure for clearing an airway, using a simulator.

They were also taught how to recognise when a baby stops breathing and how to administer infant resuscitation techniques.

ECCH health visitor Andrea Collins said: 'Parents often tell us they are nervous about choking when introducing lumpy foods at a young age.

'So, in the unlikely event a baby does choke, we want parents to feel confident about how to manage it and get appropriate medical help if necessary.

'The World Health Organisation recommends that solid foods are given to babies at the age of six months and research indicates that children are less likely to be fussy eaters, have allergies and become overweight if that happens.'

The session followed a similar class at Kirkley Children's Centre in July and a third session will be held at the Butterflies Children's Centre in Beccles on September 4 from 1pm to 3pm. To book, contact the ECCH Health Visiting team on 01502 532053.

ECCH's Children's Services have just been awarded UNICEF Baby Friendly Stage 3 (full) accreditation once more, which they were originally given in 2014. This is a global accreditation programme that champions the best possible physical and emotional health for all babies. Awards are only given to organisations that demonstrate they provide world-leading advice and care.