Monday, 11 August 2014

Borough businesses encouraged to welcome breastfeeding mums


 
Businesses and shops in Rochdale borough are being asked to show their support for breastfeeding mums by signing up for the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme.

Businesses are being encouraged to take part in a Council project by displaying a Breastfeeding Welcome sticker in a prominent window, to reassure mothers that they are welcome to breastfeed their baby on the premises.

This announcement coincides with World Breastfeeding Week, which emphasises the importance of increasing and sustaining the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. The Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme is a project to enable mothers to breastfeed easily and comfortably when out and about in our borough for example in libraries, Link4Life Sports Centres, shopping venues.

Businesses are being supported to kick start their participation in the scheme, while local NHS Trusts, children’s centres and GP practices are already on board, having already achieved stage 3 UNICEF Baby Friendly Award.

Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Councillor Cecile Biant, said: “The Breastfeeding Welcome scheme is an extremely exciting project that caters to the needs of nursing mums. Studies show that breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from ear and stomach infections, diabetes and obesity when they are older, while breastfeeding also lowers mum’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer.”

For more information about the Breastfeeding Welcome scheme, contact Ruth Bardsley, Public Health, Rochdale Borough Council on 01707 92 7081 or ruth.bardsley@rochdale.gov.uk.

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