Expert medical advice is on the menu at the breast feeding cafe

Health officials in the city say only 45% of mothers in the area start breastfeeding compared with the national average of 70 %.

The Baby Caf� will open each Tuesday at lunchtime at Manningham Clinic, Lumb Lane.

Mums and pregnant women can feed their babies and get expert medical advice.

Valuable resources

The Baby Caf� is a joint project between SureStart Manningham and Bradford City Teaching Primary Care Trust , which aims to give support and advice to mums about any aspect of breastfeeding.

There is a library of books and videos at the cafe on breastfeeding for mums to take away and look at in their own time.

Davina Hartley, a research officer for Manningham SureStart, said: "It's well known that mothers living in deprived areas, and those not getting support and proper advice, are less likely to start breastfeeding or continue it.

"The Baby Caf� is a great idea because it provides a friendly, relaxed atmosphere for mums to meet each other and get the right help to encourage them to breastfeed their babies."