What’s all the fuss about? Do women really have problems breastfeeding when they are out and about?
Yes. There are some people who find breastfeeding in public embarrassing or outrageous.
This can make breastfeeding mothers feel uncomfortable or vulnerable.
Mothers tell us that if a venue has a ‘breastfeeding welcome’ sign they are more likely to use that venue because they feel welcome. There may be other breastfeeding mothers in there and so the can feel relaxed about breastfeeding in public.
It is important that all staff know when their employers are breastfeeding welcome because sometimes, managers or owners of a venue express acceptance of breastfeeding, but mothers report that comments or attitudes from staff there have deterred them. Make sure you tell your staff if and when you become breastfeeding welcome.
Will I have to adapt my premises to suit the needs of breastfeeding mothers?
No, not necessarily. Not all premises can provide a separate room and that’s not really important.Most women say they just need a little privacy – even careful positioning of chairs can be enough.The facilities women list as most important are:
Easy access for, and safe space to park, a buggy.
Easy access to a clean place to change their baby’s nappy.
A comfortable chair with a back for support.
Some mothers will prefer a private room, however, and some premises may want to provide one. If so, such a room should:
be appropriately signposted, clean, and comfortable;
provide a chair with a back, a foot rest, a cushion, and access to water; and
have easy access to baby changing facilities, but not be in the same room.
Will mothers expose themselves and make other customers feel uncomfortable?
No. Its understandable you maybe worried about your other customers but breastfeeding mothers are very discreet. In fact many owners or managers of breastfeeding welcome places tell us that they don’t even notice when women are breastfeeding. Remember, polls have shown that 85% of adults have no problem with seeing women breastfeeding in public.
What does my breastfeeding policy need to include ? The policy simply needs to state that you welcome babies to be breastfed in any public area of your premises and how you will make that happen, including letting staff know and displaying the poster and the sticker.
Here is an example:
ABC bakery and coffee shop welcomes babies to be breastfed in any public area of these premises
How we will make this happen:
All our staff will support the needs and rights of mothers’ breastfeeding. If another customer to the premises objects to discreet breastfeeding they should be told that management support breastfeeding. If the situation cannot be resolves readily, junior staff should refer customers to senior management.
A copy of this policy along with the staff guide to the breastfeeding policy should be issued to all new staff members and a copy should be displayed in the staff rest room
Distributing and updating this policy is the responsibility of …………….( Manager of the store ) who will be glad to hear compliments or comments and reports of any incidents.
If a member of staff feels that they need more guidance on this they should speak to ………….( manger of store) We are breastfeeding welcome:
To support the needs and rights of our customers , visitors or clients and be more family friendly
Babies need feeding when they ask for it. Their stomachs are very small and breastmilk is quickly digested
Breastfeeding works best when mother and baby are relaxed
Hungry upset babies will generally be helped to calm down and become quite when breastfeeding. This is good for all out customers , visitors or clients
