‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here Scheme’ makes Easter trips easier

As Easter approaches and many families are gearing up for day trips and excursions, the Public Health Agency (PHA) would like to commend the  many businesses across Northern Ireland that are members of the ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here Scheme’ which aims  to make breastfeeding easier in public.

Janet Calvert, Regional Breastfeeding Coordinator at the PHA, said: “Once you've made the decision to breastfeed your baby, whether or not you feel able to breastfeed in public can make an enormous difference to your quality of life. It can be daunting enough to get out and about with a new baby, but the added pressure of finding a place where you can feel welcome to breastfeed can prevent some mums from breastfeeding for longer periods of time.”

Breastfeeding gives a child the best possible start in life and babies have better protection against certain illnesses the longer breastfeeding continues.

Babies who are breastfed are less likely to suffer from ear and kidney infections or be admitted to hospital with gastric or chest infections. Children who have been breastfed are also less likely to become obese or to develop childhood diabetes. But the benefits don’t stop there, as mothers who breastfeed are also at less risk of developing serious illnesses such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.

Research shows that the healthiest children are those who have been exclusively breastfed for at least six months, and the PHA-funded Breastfeeding Welcome Here Scheme’ helps make this possible.

Janet continued: “The PHA recognises the importance of breastfeeding and the many health benefits it offers for both mother and baby. The ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here Scheme’ was developed in 2005 as a regional initiative to encourage and improve social acceptance of breastfeeding. Businesses and council facilities who have signed up to the scheme have made a commitment to welcoming breastfeeding mothers and babies and agree to display a pink sticker and certificate which indicates they are members of the scheme.  Seven years on the scheme has over 300 members throughout Northern Ireland including, various popular tourist attractions.

 “With the Easter holidays approaching the PHA would like to reassure mums that if they feel a little hesitant about breastfeeding in public, not to be discouraged from planning family day trips and excursions. There are various popular attractions across Northern Ireland which have joined our initiative to support mums who breastfeed, to ensure they feel totally comfortable when out and about.”

The Ulster Museum, the National Trust Tea Room, Carrick-a-Rede, the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the Ulster American Folk Park are only some of the popular attractions that are members of the scheme. A full list of breastfeeding-friendly locations and further information about the ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here Scheme’ can be found on  the PHA’s breastfed babies website www.breastfedbabies.org.