Breastfeeding welcome at Ulster Museum

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is delighted to welcome the Ulster Museum as the latest member of its Breastfeeding welcome here scheme. The Ulster Museum is one of the four museums of the National Museums Northern Ireland who are now all members of this PHA initiative which aims to improve health through supporting breastfeeding mothers and babies . The others museums involved include The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Armagh County Museum and the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh.

The Breastfeeding welcome here Scheme was developed in 2005 as a regional initiative to encourage and improve social acceptability of breastfeeding. Five years on the scheme has over 250 members throughout Northern Ireland. The PHA recognises the importance of breastfeeding and the many health benefits it offers for both mother and baby. The longer breastfeeding continues the better the protection against certain illnesses. Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from ear and kidney infections or to be admitted to hospital with gastric or chest infections. Children who have been breastfed are less likely to become obese or to develop, childhood diabetes. Mothers who breast feed are also at less risk of developing serious illnesses such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.
 

Janet Calvert, Regional Breastfeeding Coordinator at the PHA, said: “Latest research further supports the fact that the healthiest children are those that have been exclusively breastfed for at least six months. The good news is that in Northern Ireland many more mothers are choosing to breastfeeding with 63% breastfeeding their babies in 2005, compared to 54% in 2000. However, just 14% of mothers here are still feeding at 6 months.1 The welcome here scheme helps mothers to continue breastfeeding by identifying premises across Northern Ireland that facilitate mothers who wish to breastfeed in public. Mothers are more likely to breastfeed for longer if they feel comfortable with breastfeeding when out and about with their baby.”
 

In order to join the scheme, businesses must agree to four membership criteria. These include:

• Breastfeeding is acceptable in all areas of the premises;
• Mothers will not be asked to stop breastfeeding;
• Staff are aware of the scheme and will be supportive of breastfeeding;
• A sticker and certificate about membership of the scheme will be displayed.
 

When all the criteria are met the organisation or business name will be added to a membership list found on www.breastfedbabies.org

Les McLean, Director of Operations for the Ulster Museum, said: “We are very pleased to be part of this important initiative which aims to improve the health of mothers and babies. We want to attract all members of the public to the museum and in particular we would like young families to feel welcome while visiting our facilities.”

Local mother, Margaret McKee enjoying a morning at the museum with baby boy Cillian, said: “As a mother I am very happy to see a scheme like this exist. It is great not having to worry about fitting in feeding times when out and about in public. What would be nice to see is more businesses joining the scheme to make it more practical for mothers like myself who breastfeed their children.”

The PHA would encourage more businesses to follow in the foot steps of National Museums Northern Ireland and become members of this important initiative which is good for mums, good for babies and good for business.