Businesses encouraged to welcome breastfeeding mums

The Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme will be rolled out across the borough in the coming months.

The scheme is a project to enable mothers to breastfeed easily and comfortably throughout the borough.

Businesses will be encouraged to take part in the project by displaying a Breastfeeding Welcome sticker in a prominent window, to reassure mothers that they are welcome to breastfeed their baby on the premises.

Training will be provided to business owners to kick-start their participation in the scheme, while libraries, children’s centres and GP practices will also be invited to take part.

Leader of Rochdale Borough Council and lead member for health, Councillor Colin Lambert, said: “According to the latest research, breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from obesity or diabetes when they are older and there are a number of other health benefits associated with breastfeeding and its effect on the physical development of children.

"Studies also show that breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in mothers, so we are extremely pleased to be able to show our support for breastfeeding in such a pro-active manner.”

Businesses seeking to take part should contact ruth.bardsley@rochdale.gov.uk