Breastfeeding support for all in Wandsworth
Published: Friday, August 2, 2024
- World Breastfeeding Week which runs from 1 to 7 August.
- It aims to create and promote environments that help parents breastfeed for longer.
- We are excited to announce the launch of a new scheme in Wandsworth, delivered by The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) to support parents to breastfeed as long as they would like.
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The Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme invites local businesses and venues to sign up and become breastfeeding friendly venues. The scheme is free to join and is open to premises from hairdressers, shops, libraries and museums to community centres, GP practices and health centres — in fact anywhere that is open to the public.
World Breastfeeding Week 2024’s theme is ‘Closing the gap, breastfeeding support for all’ and focuses on actions we can all take to enhance breastfeeding support and opportunities, especially for vulnerable families. The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life. Breastmilk provides essential nutrients, supports immune system development, and enhances the mother-child relationship.
By signing up to this scheme businesses and organisations can help show that they welcome and support breastfeeding families by displaying an easily recognisable sticker and sharing information with their staff and volunteers about why breastfeeding is important and how it is protected.
BfN say: ‘We are delighted to be working with the council to deliver the Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme. Breastfeeding is good for mums, babies and the environment, but many women feel nervous about breastfeeding out and about, and this can mean they choose not to breastfeed or that they stop breastfeeding before they want to. It is important to remember that your right to breastfeed in any public place is protected by law and that most women only have positive experiences of breastfeeding out and about.’
Breastfeeding is important for parents and babies, but it isn’t always easy. We encourage all breastfeeding parents to get in touch with our Health Visiting team who are all breastfeeding trained under the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative.
Through breastfeeding drop-in groups, drop-in Well Baby clinics and 1-1 Specialist Infant feeding clinic, our Health Visiting team provides information and support on breastfeeding and maximising breastmilk, helping families to feed safely and responsively.
Find out more about infant feeding in Wandsworth :
If you know a parent who is currently breastfeeding, there are several ways you can offer support. Attend antenatal or breastfeeding classes with them, provide emotional and practical assistance, and make them feel comfortable, for example, by offering extra pillows or bringing a drink and snack. You can also visit the NHS website.
Find out more about Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme:
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/bfn-breastfeeding-friendly-scheme/
To join the scheme or for further information, please contact: Wandsworth@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk