BRADFORD-born pop star Kimberley Walsh has spoken about her struggles to breast feed her son Bobby as she praised the district's health workers for working to increase breastfeeding rates.

The former Girls Aloud singer told new mums at a health award ceremony in Saltaire that motherhood had "hit me like a bus", before adding: "In a good way, of course."

She said becoming a mother was the "greatest role I have ever played".

The star, who grew up in Allerton, presented the Health Visiting Service at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust an award from UNICEF in recognition of its work to increase breastfeeding rates and improve care for mums.

Kimberly, who attended the event with her ten-month-old son, said she knew what new mums were going through when they were struggling to get their babies to feed.

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She told a room full of new mums: "Speaking from my own experience, developing a strong bond with baby can be a daunting experience.

"Breastfeeding can be difficult at first and my own experience has meant I have sought expert help in the past. Support, such as that provided by health visitors, can help mums to develop an even stronger bond with their newborn.

"As a busy working mum, the extra cuddle time it gave me with Bobby was really important to me."

She recalled going home with Bobby shortly after he was born.

"On my way home in the car I saw things through very different eyes. This little baby is going to rely on you for absolutely everything. You want to give them the best start in life."

She admitted experiencing some "outside pressure" to breast feed Bobby but it was already something that she wanted to do.

"I thought it would be fine and he would latch on, but no, it didn't work out that way. Bobby and I had a bit of a challenge.

"We got help and managed to crack it. Bobby and I breastfed for seven months. It is one of the most special bonds you can have with your baby. It's challenging but it's so worth it."

The award went to the Health Visiting Service after it was assessed by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation.

Kim Atkinson, for the Health Visiting Service, said: "A key part of our role as health visitors is to strengthen mother-baby and family relationships, regardless of whether a baby is breast fed.

"However, surveys do show that most mums want to try breastfeeding, if the right support is in place. There are practical benefits such as it’s cheaper and less hassle than bottle feeding, but there are long term health benefits too.

"Breastfeeding can protect baby from a wide range of serious illnesses such as asthma and diabetes and reduce the risk to mum of developing some cancers."