READERS expressed mixed reactions to the Star's report on ambitions to increase breastfeeding rates in the town.

A draft report said every one per cent increase in breastfeeding rates in St Helens would result in an extra £800,000 per annum for the town's economy over the life of a child.

A task group was formed to look at the St Helens Infant Feeding Strategy 2016 - 2019, which details St Helens Council's action plan aiming to support families in making informed choices in relation to feeding their child.

Recommendations include teaching the benefits breastfeeding at schools, highlighting the potential savings on costs of formula feeding and ensuring new town centre plans are family friendly.

Commenting on social media, some readers welcomed the plans, while others said mums should not be put under additional pressure over the feeding method they use.

Em Louise Lawton-Turner said: "Breast is best but only if you can do it - that's physically and mentally."

Gary Tunstall said: "It's best for the baby still to be connected by breast to the mother's protective chemistry, but (...) the most important thing to do for your child is the best you can with the tools and resources you have at your disposal."

Kellie Riordan said: "Fed is best! Whatever way that is. The state controls every aspect of family life so let's leave this decision up to mum."

Leah Frederick said: "So if I bottle feed my child they will be sick more? What a joke. It's a personal choice."

Emma Louise Roberts said: "I got no help whatsoever when I had my son; I was desperate to breastfeed and couldn't get him to latch and had no help. I was devastated and felt like a failure because society tells us that it's wrong not to breastfeed and that's not fair - as long as the baby is fed it does not matter."

In support of the plans, Lauryn Victoria said: "Support makes all the difference. I didn't get the support with my first, so didn't manage it for long but had great support with my youngest, despite all the issues we had."

Jill Wilton said: "It's about education and feeling comfortable breast feeding. I breast fed both my daughters in the early '90s whilst shopping in St Helens and was discreet about it and never encountered any negativity."

Lilly Sheenie suggested: "Maybe they should make places more breastfeeding friendly, then mothers won't feel awkward or like they're doing something wrong by feeding their child."

Hannah Smith said the plan would save, rather than waste money, commenting: "Plans are to raise awareness of breastfeeding and encourage higher breastfeeding rates which in turn could save hundreds of thousands of pounds."