AUGUST is International Breastfeeding Month and the Bermuda Hospitals Board and La Leche League of Bermuda have embarked on a creative campaign to encourage more mothers to breast-feed their babies.

One of the mothers featured in their poster campaign was Lesley McDougall, who spoke to the Mid-Ocean News about the breastfeeding campaign, the importance of the La Leche League and bonding with your baby during the first hour after birth.

Mrs. McDougall said she didn't see herself as a "poster child" for breast-feeding but added: "I just strongly believe in breast-feeding. As soon as I knew I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to breast-feed. I just want to share the positive things with people because I believe a lot of people are misinformed (about nursing)."

She said that while baby formula was advertised extensively in the media, she felt not enough was being done to promote and encourage breast-feeding.

"We've had such a good experience so I'm happy to talk about it," she said.

Mrs. McDougall admitted she had never heard about La Leche League of Bermuda until she became pregnant.

"I read about it in the newspaper when I was pregant and went to a meeting. Having that support before I had even had a baby was fantastic. So many women who were there had already had babies and told me it was good that I came to them before even having Griffin because I would know what to expect."

When she was in hospital after delivering her baby, a La Leche League member visited her and her son Griffin to make sure the infant was "latching on" correctly and that Mrs. McDougall wasn't experiencing any difficulties.

"I found the support on the island is very good," she said.

Mrs. McDougall feels women are still under the impression that breast-feeding will be "difficult" and she constantly hears them say they don't have time to breast-feed.

"Yes, I am the one who always has to feed Griffin, but my husband gets to do other things. It's just about how you work your time, but I don't think it makes it easier by giving your baby a bottle.

"Think about time involved. If you have to make up bottles, sterilise them . . . that takes time.

"But when you're breast-feeding, it's there and available all the time without having to do anything.

"Breast-feeding is so convenient. When I got out, it's like a picnic that's always packed!"

This also means she has less to carry with her when she and Griffin head out for the day.

"It's so convenient, I don't ever have to think about packing bottles and bags." When asked about facilities in Bermuda for breast-feeding mothers, Mrs. McDougall admitted that she had always breast-fed in public.

"I was very shy about it in the beginning. I'm still quite shy, but I'm discreet and if I'm in town I will go to the park. I obviously feel that when I'm with other mothers and we're at a café or something (laugh) there's safety in numbers.

"But when I'm alone at a restaurant or café and need to feed him, I still wonder if people are looking at me although I've never had a bad experience."

It's important to have a birth plan and Mrs. McDougall said she stated in hers that she wanted Griffin placed on her chest as soon after he was born as possible. She felt it was vital to bond with him within this first hour.

"Now, looking back, I don't even think he was feeding properly at that time," she said. "But just having that snuggle time was important. They left us alone for about two hours just to do that and that was precious. When I get up with him in the night now and he is feeding, it's those moments you cherish.

"Stroking his head and him being so peaceful and that one-on-one time with him, I wouldn't take that away for anything."

Mrs. McDougall said she didn't want to put a limit on how long she would continue to feed Griffin but she hoped it would be for at least a year.

Did she have any advice for new mothers?

"Surround yourself with people who are have knowledge about breast-feeding. Go to the local La Leche and speak to other mothers."

La Leche meets the on the second Saturday of every month at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital's conference room on the first floor at 10.30 a.m. and can be contacted at 236-1120 for more information.