The Scheme
The BFN’s Breastfeeding friendly scheme is an initiative to make venues more comfortable for lactating Moms and their precious little ones. In order to do so, you only need to provide them with a seat/chair/sofa in any comfortable corner where the Moms can feed their young ones in a relaxed fashion.
It would really help if your venue’s team is welcoming towards all breastfeeding families and support a woman’s right to feed their young one without facing any shame or judgement. It is also important that Moms are not expected to feed their babies inside or near a toilet or diaper changing room. It is optional but would be very kind for your team to offer drinking water and some privacy to a breastfeeding mother upon request. The privacy can come in the form of a secluded area/room or use of curtains or a simple plastic divider etc.
If you agree to participate in the scheme, you must:
Ensure all employees/volunteers (as appropriate for your organisation) are aware of the scheme and have read the ‘Information for staff and volunteers’ document provided as part of the pack
Display the breastfeeding friendly posters, certificate of commitment and stickers (optional) in your premises (if appropriate)
Ensure all staff are aware of the law in relation to mothers feeding in public and that they know a mother must never be asked to stop feeding her baby in a place she is legally entitled to be.
How to sign up:
Simply send an email to wandsworth@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk OR richmond@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk (depending on the borough in which your business is located) with the following details and the scheme is absolutely free of cost for you to join:
- Names of all the centres under your care
- Addresses of all the centres under your care
- Contact name for each centre
- Contact email for each centre
- How did you find out about breastfeeding friendly scheme
- Are you interested in each centre being featured on BFN’s breastfeeding friendly venue locator map?
What will you receive on signing up?
A Wandsworth/Richmond borough specific welcome pack with 2 display stickers, an information booklet, a poster and a certificate of commitment. If you are interested, you will also be featured on BFN’s venue locator map.