The BBC reports that midwives at Liverpool Women's Hospital have been using knitted breasts to teach mothers of premature babies how to express milk. The latex models have proven too expensive at about £35 (approx $70US) per breast.

The hospital appealed for volunteers to knit the prosthetic breasts in order to cover demand. They received a brilliant response and have had offers from all over the world.

It's been stated in the past how important breast milk is to the growth and strength of newborns, and often new mothers require encouragement to take on the daunting task.

There is no racial discrimination either as the breasts are produced in a variety of skin tones!

This is one of the most important appeals I have seen recently in British healthcare, and I hope that with the attention it is receiving that it might influence practices all over the world.

If you want to volunteer as a knitter then the pattern will soon be available from the Lactation Consultants of Great Britain.