Breastfeeding support
CentrePoint in Gowkthrapple has become one of the first businesses in Lanarkshire to join the new Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland (BFS) Scheme.
With the support of NHS Lanarkshire, the centre will help to promote, support and protect the rights of mothers who want to breastfeed in public places.
The BFS scheme is being rolled out nationally by the Scottish Government. It will replace, and build on the success of, NHS Lanarkshire’s former breastfeeding welcome initiative.
Lanarkshire currently reported some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Scotland. Around half (50.3 per cent) of mothers choose to breastfeed, dropping to less than one in three (28.6 per cent) after six to eight weeks. A contributing factor can be that women feel inhibited to breastfeed outside of the home.
In Scotland, all babies are protected by law and it is an offence to prevent a baby from being fed milk in a public place. Wherever families see the“Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland”logo and signage, they can be assured of an extra warm welcome and know that staff are aware of their obligation under the law.
Membership of the scheme demonstrates the business understands and accommodates the needs of breastfeeding families.
AnneMarie Bruce, Infant Feeding Development Midwife at NHS Lanarkshire, said:“Our aim is always to ensure that mothers and babies have the support they require from the NHS. Regardless of how they feed, responsive parenting and feeding are encouraged.
“UNICEF Babyfriendly found that 80 per cent of women stopped breastfeeding before they wanted to. In Lanarkshire, we want to normalise breastfeeding and change the culture.
“We hope that by promoting safe environments for breastfeeding outside the home through the BFS Scheme, more women will feel comfortable and continue to breastfed for as long as they wish.”
Delighted to sign up to the BFS scheme, Paul Lennon, Deputy Director of CentrePoint Community Centre, said:“The centre is a well-used community hub.
“It is popular with young families and we want breastfeeding mums to feel comfortable in our environment.
“The Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme is a really good idea and we hope that more organisations and public spaces will sign up.”
Interested businesses can visit BreastfeedingFriendlyScotlandLanarkshire @lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk.