Issued: 22 Nov 2024
A poster designed by a pupil at Pultneytown Academy in Wick is to be displayed throughout the Highland area to raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding.
Loryn Duffus, 11, won a competition run by NHS Highland and Highland Council following breastfeeding awareness sessions for primary 6 and 7 pupils in schools throughout the Highland Council area.
And her classmate, Natalie Cornwall, also 11, was placed second in the competition that attracted entries from primary school pupils from all over the Highlands.
Loryn won a family pass to Landmark Park at Carrbridge and Natalie won a family pass to the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig, Kingussie. These were given to the girls before the October holiday.
Loryn’s poster was launched at Pultneytown Academy today (Monday November 8) and the school was presented with a framed copy.
Head teacher Lilian Wark said everyone at the school was delighted that two of their pupils had been placed first and second in this competition.
She added that she was pleased the children in Primary 6 and 7 had been made more aware of breastfeeding.
“We were very happy to have these sessions delivered to our pupils. The children really enjoyed them. I’m sure they benefitted from them and are now aware of the benefits of breastfeeding,” said Miss Wark.
NHS Highland Infant Feeding Advisor, Karen Mackay, said the sessions had proved a huge success in schools across Highland and there had been a good response to the competition.
She explained that breastfeeding now formed part of the curriculum for excellence, so NHS Highland joined forces with Highland Council to deliver breastfeeding awareness sessions for Primary 6 and 7 pupils. These sessions were launched during Breastfeeding Awareness Week in June.
Mrs Mackay said: “Research has shown that girls make their minds up about how they are going to feed their babies by the age of 11.
“We made up educational packs, which look at mammals and how they feed their young, and then move on to how humans feed their babies, including pictures of celebrities who are known to breastfeed their babies in public.
“The pack also includes information on the Scottish Breastfeeding Act 2024, which makes it illegal to stop someone breastfeeding in public, and we talk about the health benefits and have a general discussion about breastfeeding with the children.”
She said the youngsters seemed very interested to learn more about the subject and asked lots of relevant questions.
Mrs Mackay said NHS Highland had run out of the posters it previously used to raise awareness of breastfeeding and decided to run a competition so the children could design a new poster for the future.
And Loryn’s entry was picked to be displayed in NHS Highland and Highland Council properties throughout the Highlands. It will also be displayed in shopping centres across the region.
Mrs Mackay said: “It was so difficult to choose a winner as there were many excellent entries, but Loryn’s stood out because it was so bright and colourful and encompassed everything we had taught them.
“It includes drawings of mothers breastfeeding in a park and in a cafe and her slogan – ‘You can breastfeed ANYWHERE! What could be more natural?’ - just says it all.”
Mrs Mackay added that they were very grateful to Landmark Park and Highland Wildlife Park for donating the prizes.