MORE mums in Basildon have breastfed their children in lockdown, midwives say.

Midwives at Basildon Hospital have noticed an increase in breastfeeding since lockdown began a few months ago.

Lisette Harris, a specialist midwife for infant feeding at the hospital, said: “This year has been an extraordinary time for everyone.

“But it is so positive to hear that many women have found more time to breastfeed during the last few difficult months.

“We’ve seen a real spike that I’ve not seen in over ten years of doing this job, seven per cent higher in one month compared to what it had been prior to lockdown.

“Mums have told us it has been because of a combination of things; they’ve not been coming into hospital, or they have had fewer visitors or disturbances, or they didn’t want to go to the shops for formula.”