Derby City councillor Alison Martin in encouraging the city’s businesses to sign up to a new scheme to support its breastfeeding mums. The Breastfeeding Welcome Here initiative is designed to make mums feel more confident to breastfeed in public places, with shops, cafés and other public premises in the city being encouraged to sign up to the free scheme to show they are accredited as ‘breastfeeding friendly’.
Councillor Martin said: “Mums have a legal right to breastfeed in public and the majority of people are supportive, but it can still be a daunting experience, particularly at first. We want mums in Derby to know they are welcome to breastfeed while out and about, and to help them feel comfortable while doing so.
“If you spot the Breastfeeding Welcome Here sticker, you’ll know it’s a comfortable and supportive environment for you to feed your baby. We’d love as many businesses as possible to sign up and show their support for mums.”
The right to breastfeed in public is protected by law but some mums lack confidence, feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable, or worried about the reaction they’ll receive. The Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme aims to positively change perceptions around breastfeeding in public and promote an environment where mums feel confident to breastfeed for as long as they choose.
By signing up, businesses and organisations pledge to actively welcome mums who are breastfeeding and support them to feel confident and comfortable feeding their baby on the premises. In turn, this will give the venue a boost, as mums are more likely to return to places where they feel comfortable.
If a venue is displaying a Breastfeeding Welcome Here Award, mums can be confident that:
- They are welcome to breastfeed their baby there
- They will never be asked to move or leave because they are breastfeeding
- The venue will do their best to offer a private area to feed in, if mum prefers and space allows
- Staff are trained to know that the venue supports breastfeeding and encourages mums to breastfeed on the premises.
