Breastfeeding Welcome scheme
If you're a mum with a baby, it helps to know where you are
welcome to breastfeed your child when you are out and about.
Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust has launched a
Breastfeeding Welcome scheme throughout Kensington and Chelsea, to
make it easier for mothers to know where they would be made
especially welcome to breastfeed.
The new Equality Act
Under the new Equality Act passed in April 2010, mothers cannot
be discriminated against, asked to leave a venue or treated
unfavourably because they are breastfeeding when out and about in
England and Wales. Support from local services can give
mothers confidence to breastfeed when in public, and give their
baby the healthiest possible start in life.
What is the scheme?
The scheme gives local cafes, restaurants, leisure centres,
libraries and other public venues a free toolkit to let
mothers know that they are welcome to breastfeed anywhere on their
premises. The toolkit includes a sticker to put in their front
window and a poster to display inside explaining the scheme to
customers/clients. The venues are also required to sign a short
policy to promise that they will support breastfeeding mothers. So
if you are a mum, you can be confident of a warm welcome in these
venues.
How can I find a Breastfeeding Welcome venue?
To find a Breastfeeding Welcome venue, look out for the bright
pink window sticker (shown right) or visit the Breastfeeding Welcome
website which lists venues that have registered and helps you
to find them via a simple postcode search. You can also write
feedback on this website about your experiences of breastfeeding in
a venue.
Sign up to the scheme
Many businesses and other venues have an open attitude to
breastfeeding, but women have no way of knowing this. Becoming
'breastfeeding welcome' and putting up the Breastfeeding Welcome
logo will let them know that they will be supported. If you work in
a business or service within the borough you can promote yourselves
by becoming part of a nationwide positive health campaign; what’s
more it doesn’t need to cost you anything!
Receive your free toolkit
To receive a toolkit and a free listing on the Breastfeeding
Welcome website venues should complete this registration
form and send to info@breastfeedingwelcomescheme.org.uk.