The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
BUSINESSES JOIN FORCES TO SUPPORT MUMS
Becoming a mum can be daunting but NHS Grampian has launched an initiative in a bid to help mums and babies thrive
Businesses across Aberdeen have been urged to welcome breast feeding mothers as part of a new initiative to help nursing mums feel more comfortable in public.
More than 60 companies have already signed up to the breastfeeding welcome scheme (BFWS), which has just been officially launched by NHS Grampian and the city’s Health & Social Care Partnership.
The scheme comes following recent controversy surrounding women feeding in public, with shocking reports of mums told to leave cafes and shops with their little ones.
From posters in windows telling mums they’re welcome to flourishing mum and baby groups, it is hoped the project will give mums a wide choice of public places where they can breastfeed and help them to breastfeed for longer.
Data from The Infant Feeding Survey found that 45% of breast feeding mums in the UK feel uncomfortable feeding their babies in front of others.
It’s an emotion Roma Davies can identify with, and she is still breastfeeding her youngest child.
Adam is four-months-old and feeding well, but Roma, 37, from Aberdeen struggled first time round with her daughter Carrie, who is now two.
She is hopeful that the scheme will help mums feel supported when they are at their most vulnerable.
“I knew from early on during my first pregnancy that I wanted to breastfeed, it seemed very normal to me,” she said.
“I had a natural birth and skin to skin contact straight away before Carrie was latched onto my breast.
“You’ve got all these emotions flooding through you and it’s an incredibly vulnerable time.”
Roma struggled to feed Carrie during the coming weeks, a scenario which many mums are faced with.
She also felt incredibly nervous to feed in public for the first time.
“It’s really important that mums get out of the house but I was so worried that people would say something to me,” said Roma.
“I was producing a lot of milk and really hesitated over feeding Carrie in public, and that has a lot to do with the attitude in society.
“Although I’ve never been told to stop nursing or anything like that, I got the occasional double take.
“It’s ridiculous really because it’s such a natural thing to do.”
Roma was supported by her husband Steve, 47, but felt unsure when he returned to work.
“I think a lot of mums get really put off at the thought of going out, you can’t not feed your baby but it’s very daunting,” she said.
“Even little things like what to wear so you can feed easily can be difficult and it’s often the weeks immediately after birth when women are tempted to give up feeding.”
Thankfully Roma felt far more comfortable by the time Adam arrived, and he latched on without any problems.
She regularly attends coffee mornings at Costa Coffee with other mums, and branches across Aberdeen have signed up to the scheme.
Participating businesses receive stickers and leaflets to display, in the initiative which started off as a pilot scheme a year ago.
“This isn’t about whether you should breastfeed or not, that’s a really personal choice,” said Roma.
“This is about giving support to women when they need it most, whether they’re bottle feeding or breastfeeding.
“A group of us were breastfeeding in Costa recently and someone stopped to say how great it was to see mums coming together.”
NHS Grampian has set a target of 46% of babies being exclusively breast fed at eight weeks old.
Public Health dietician Jenny Gordon, who is behind the scheme, believes benefits can be felt by both mums and business owners.
“The scheme is a great way for businesses to support breast feeding
“45% OF BREAST FEEDING MUMS IN THE UK FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE FEEDING THEIR BABIES IN FRONT OF OTHERS”
mothers on their premises,” she said.
“Being a member of the BFWS reinforces a business’s image and helps educate the staff about the laws surrounding breastfeeding.”
The scheme is also on the lookout for volunteers who want to support other breast feeding mothers.
“We are looking for volunteers to join our team to help recruit businesses and other organisations to take part and help to raise the profile of breast feeding,” said Jenny.
“One of the next areas we want to target is Peterculter, along with building on existing work in the city centre.”
Participating businesses include Costa Coffee in Union Square, which runs a nursing mums peer support group every week.
Manager Sharon McHattie said: “Costa is very much a family-friendly destination where mums and babies are always welcome. We believe that mums should feel comfortable wherever they are breast feeding so we fully support this scheme and are proud to have the ‘Breastfeeding Welcome’ logo displayed in our Union Square store.
“Many parents have been hugely positive about the scheme and we hope for more sign ups from businesses here in Aberdeen.”
Belmont Filmhouse has also recently joined the scheme and is encouraging other businesses to sign up.
Cinema manager Colin Farquhar said: “Belmont Filmhouse is delighted to be able to promote the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme for NHS Grampian and Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership.
“We would be proud if new mothers and parents would consider our venue a welcoming space in which to feed their babies, whether it’s in the cinemas or in our Café Bar.
“We pride ourselves in being a family-friendly place to go, and a place where mums and babies are always welcome, and so it’s great to be part of this progressive initiative to give mothers more choice in Aberdeen.”
Businesses who want to participate in the scheme can contact Jenny Gordon at jenny.gordon1@nhs.net or Yvonne Robb at yvonnerobb@nhs.net.
More information is available on the Breastfeed Grampian Facebook page and the new BFWS web page at www.nhsgrampian.org/bfws