As part of National Breastfeeding
Week, local businesses will be signing up to a campaign to make
cafes, restaurants bars and shops more breastfeeding friendly.
The benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child are well
known however many mothers stop nursing their children when they
are only 6 weeks old. In 2010-2011 64% of the county’s infants were
breastfed at birth, but shockingly at 6-8 weeks old this percentage
is almost halved as it decreases to only 34%.
Whilst breastfeeding is completely natural it is not seen every
day in public spaces. For those women who choose to breastfeed
there are a number of obstacles preventing them from doing so.
Feeling confident in being able to nurse when out in public is a
common concern for expectant first time mums. Younger women in
particular, have anxieties about being ‘turned away’ and not being
able to feed when away from home. The Breastfeeding Friendly
Businesses Scheme is designed to tackle this barrier.
Councillor Kathy Gosling, Suffolk County Council’s Portfolio
Holder for Sport, Culture, Diversity, Health and Wellbeing said:
“We’re not asking businesses to create separate breastfeeding
friendly areas within their establishments. Mums do not want to
feel segregated from the rest of society, all we ask is that
businesses will support women who want to nurse their children on
their premises, allowing them to stay and feel welcome.”
One business that has already signed up is Central Canteen,
Queens Street, Ipswich.
Mrs Hassan, owner of Central Canteen said: “We are proud to be
family friendly. We have always welcomed mothers who want to breast
feed in our café, it’s one of the most natural things a woman can
do and they should feel free to do so. We want mothers to know that
they are welcome to nurse their children here, and we have ample
baby changing facilities as well.”
Laura Cardwell, mother of two and long term customer of Central
Canteen said: “I am delighted that the Breastfeeding Friendly
Business Scheme is starting up in Suffolk. Friends of mine have
been asked to leave by some other cafes and restaurants in town
because they were breastfeeding. I have always been welcomed at
Central Canteen and made to feel comfortable when nursing. “
“I hope more places in town follow Central Canteen’s example and
proactively support women who wish to breastfeed on their
premises.”
Although the Breastfeeding Friendly Business Scheme is being
piloted in Ipswich, there are ambitions to roll the scheme out
throughout Suffolk.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
national Breastfeeding Week begins w/c Monday 20 June
2011.
Window stickers displaying the international breastfeeding sign are
available for businesses that are interested in signing up to the
Breastfeeding Friendly Business Scheme. For more info contact Linda
Page, Breastfeeding Coordinator for Suffolk County Council on Tel
07950 887478 or
Linda.Page@suffolk.gov.uk
Councillor Contacts:
Kathy Gosling,
Portfolio Holder for Sport, Culture, Diversity, Health and
Wellbeing,
Tel: 01502 565056,
Mobile: 07545 423792,
Email:
Kathy.gosling@suffolk.gov.uk
Kathy Pollard,
Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health and Wellbeing,
Tel: 01473 313036,
Mobile: 07545 423819,
Email:
kathy.pollard@suffolk.gov.uk
Peter Gardiner,
Labour spokesperson for Health,
Tel: 01473 711612,
Mobile: 07545 423825,
Email:
peter.gardiner@suffolk.gov.uk
Andrew Stringer,
Leader of the Green and Independent group,
Tel: 01449 780339,
Mobile: 07545 423842,
Email:
andrew.stringer@suffolk.gov.uk
Media Contact:
Cheryl Aldam,
Communications,
Tel: 01473 264291,
Email:
Cheryl.aldam@suffolk.gov.uk