A CWMBRAN mother is encouraging other mums to help the environment and save money by breast-feeding. Natalie Copsey, 23, has been breast-feeding her son Jacob for seven months and is backing an Assembly campaign to get more mums using breast milk. She said breast-feeding saves electricity because she does not have to boil water or use a microwave and she does not have to sterilise bottles. She has friends who use formula feed and throw out two empty boxes each week, so she saves on waste as well. "The cost element is also a factor for young families," she said. "When starting a family there is a lot to contend with and financially it can be difficult to manage. "With formula you are constantly shelling out and it can be expensive, while breast milk is free and it’s the best for your baby." Mrs Copsey joined the campaign after hearing about it through her health visitors and midwife. She admits that, like many women, she had trouble breast-feeding her first son, Joshua, and joined a local breast feeding group to get support from other mothers. She also uses real nappies to save waste and has started advising other mums in Gwent on how to use them. For more information visit www.wales.gov.uk/breastfeeding or call the UK National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212