Nottingham has a higher rate of mums successfully breastfeeding their babies than the UK or regional average.
Figures released by Nottingham City Council show that of the 71.1 per cent of women who begin to breastfeed in the city – almost half (47.7 per cent) continue past the first six to eight weeks.
This is higher than both the national average of 43.2 per cent and the East Midlands average of 44.4 per cent.
Health professionals recommend that all infants are breastfed until they are at least six months old and say it has major benefits for both mother and baby.
Local businesses and venues are being encouraged to display ‘Breastfeeding Friendly’ signs as part of a scheme to help women identify suitable places to feed.
The city has previously received praise for its range of baby changing and breastfeeding facilities and Arnold welcomed its first breastfeeding cafe in April 2016.
Breastfeeding peer supporter Amy Lawson has worked at The Milk Lounge cafe since it opened and provides free help and advice to breastfeeding mums from Arnold and the city.
She said: “Having somewhere private, clean and comfortable where mums can go to breastfeed is really important.
“Sometimes women receive negative comments when they feed in public and just don’t know where to go.
“Our café provides a friendly, non-judgemental environment which helps women to build up the confidence to breastfeed in other public places.”
Amy, who breastfed her daughter, now 4, for two years supports the ‘breastfeeding friendly’ signs.
She said: “It’s a great idea – the more it is put out there the less anxious mums will be.
“As a whole the city is fairly open and supportive and some places already have good facilities – but there are some that could be improved.
“Businesses should make sure staff are clued up about the law surrounding breastfeeding and willing to defend mums who choose to do so.”
- A woman’s breast milk is perfectly designed for her baby
- It protects baby from infections and disease
- It offers health benefits to the mother
- Breast milk is available whenever baby needs it
- It can build a strong emotional bond between mother and baby
Pippa Atkinson, a Health Visitor for Nottingham CityCare Partnership, says breastfeeding holds numerous health benefits.
She said: “It’s the best way for mums to bond with their new baby and has a multitude of proven health and well-being benefits.
“One-to-one, group or specialist support is provided to mums across the city from Health Visitors, peer supporters and other healthcare professionals.
“We are keen to transform Nottingham into a breastfeeding-friendly city and our support has been awarded the highest level of Unicef’s ‘Baby Friendly Initiative’ – a testament to the hard work and integrated approach to breastfeeding in Nottingham.”
More information and the current ‘Breastfeeding Friendly’ directory can be found on the CityCare website.
