Award for “outstanding” work of Wrexham midwife who provides breastfeeding support to new mums

A specialist breastfeeding midwife has won the ‘Betsi Star’ after winning the award for her work with new mums at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

Rhian Houseman was nominated by mum Nerys Sidall, from Bala who was struggling to breastfeed after the birth of her daughter Miriam.

Rhian provided Nerys with specialist support after noticing that Miriam’s mouth had not yet finished developing meaning the baby was finding it difficult to feed.

Nerys praised the midwife for going ‘out of her way’ to provide ‘outstanding’ support.

“I wanted to nominate Rhian because I just wanted to say a huge thank you,” explained Nerys.

“She gave me the emotional support to persevere at a time when I could have very easily given up.

“Through visiting Rhian at the hospital many times and with her continued help I succeeded in breastfeeding for over a year.”

Rhian spoke of her “delight” at the award. She said: “I’m so pleased for her family. Nerys worked really hard to help baby Miriam breastfeed.

“Miriam had lost a lot of weight initially within the first few days so they both needed a lot of support but they were so determined to do it and with a lot of hard work she got there and continued to breastfeed for well over a year so she’s done a great job.”

Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Gary Doherty added: “It’s fantastic to hear about the support Rhian was able to provide for Nerys and her family.

“We know it’s not always easy and not always straightforward to breastfeed, but with Rhian’s help and specialist expertise she was able to do it.”