The recent power plant explosion highlighted why breastfeeding is especially important in Bermuda, the head of a local breastfeeding organisation said.

Speaking as World Breastfeeding Week kicked off at the beginning of August, Lena Ostroff, chairperson of the local La Leche League (LLL) said, "Becoming a new parent is challenging enough without the additional worry and stress of dealing with power failures, water shortages and tropical storms. Pregnant women and new moms on the Island need not fear these special circumstances."

Ms Ostroff said breastfeeding offers a "simple and elegant" solution to assuring a new baby gets the very best possible nutrition, even in the face of a water shortage, power outage or some other crisis. "Especially here in Bermuda, where we are currently facing the possibility of power failures, a water shortage and a season of tropical storms, parents may be assured their newborns will be protected during times of stress, while receiving the perfect food," said Ms Ostroff. "We are here to assist anyone needing help breastfeeding their baby. With the proper information, encouragement and support, mothers can successfully nurse. It is a natural process, practised worldwide since the beginning of time. None of us would be here if mothers couldn't breastfeed their babies." Ms Ostroff said that breastfeeding is a learned art.

"A century ago, every mother nursed her child and everyone around a new mother offered assistance," she said. "It is a sad reality that we live in an age and culture of artificial baby food feeding. Everywhere we turn, there are commercials and advertisements for formula. New mothers are often bombarded by well-meaning friends and relatives who bottle-fed themselves and lack the experience and information to encourage nursing."

She said during difficult times a breastfeeding mother provides comfort and transfers antibodies that protect the baby from infection.

"Breastfeeding will also help mothers to relax under difficult circumstances and give them a sense of control, empowerment and satisfaction," she said. "Women can breastfeed and produce high quality breastmilk, even if they do not have access to a normal diet. Mothers worry they will not produce enough milk to feed their baby, if they are upset."

"A mother produces enough milk to feed her baby if she breastfeeds frequently and as long as the baby wants at each feed. Stress does not prevent milk production."

LLL has been helping women and children on the Island for 18 years. They are affiliated with La Leche League International, the world's leading expert on breastfeeding. The local group has assisted thousands of people by offering encouragement, support and information to pregnant women and new mothers.

LLL of Bermuda hosts monthly meetings, provides a free lending library with books on breastfeeding, pregnancy, and childcare, runs a 24-hour help line, distributes information sheets and brochures to health care professionals and takes referrals from clinics, nurses and doctors, all at no charge.

All LLL Leaders are volunteers accredited by LLL International.

LLL will also host a meeting at 10.30 a.m. on August 13 at the first floor conference room of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, to discuss breastfeeding, healthy eating and good nutrition.