Already, 10 outlets have been granted the city council’s Breastfeeding Mayoral Quality Mark with cafes in South Liverpool and the city centre welcoming mums who breastfeed. Tony McDonough reports
Businesses across Liverpool are being designated as ‘breastfeeding friendly’ under a new charter mark scheme.
Already, 10 outlets have been granted the city council’s Breastfeeding Mayoral Quality Mark. Under the charter they pledge to:
- Allow breastfeeding in all public areas
- Make private areas available for feeding where possible
- Offer mums a free drink of water or tea/coffee
- Promote support services for breastfeeding
Each business will receive a certificate and a badge that they can place in their window or door to let customers know they are breast feeding friendly.
The launch of the scheme is taking place at 10am on Tuesday, September 5, at the Wigwam Coffee Shop in Rose Lane in Mossley Hill – which has become the first business to secure the Quality Mark.
Owner Sue Kelbrick said: “As a child friendly café we understand that the need to feed a little one can come at any time and we do our very best to make sure mums feel at home.”
The other businesses to be accredited are: Lunya in Liverpool One; Marmalade Skies in Allerton Road, John Lewis café; Little Eatery in Aigburth Road; Leaf in Bold Street, Love thy Neighbour in Bold Street, Café Oro in Smithdown Road and branches of Costa Coffee and Caffé Nero in the city.
In Liverpool around 53% of new mums feed naturally, compared to 74% elsewhere, dropping to 32% at six to eight weeks against 44% across the rest of the country.
The city’s peer support group for breastfeeding, Liverpool Bambis – based at and managed by Wavertree, Childwall and Woolton Children’s Centre – has supported 16,000 mums over the last five years.
Sarah Todd, Liverpool Bambis co-ordinator, said: “Breast feeding, even a short period of time, gives children the very best start in life.
“It has numerous health benefits for both mum and baby, which is why we work so hard to support mums to achieve their own breastfeeding goals.
“We are delighted with the Mayoral Quality Mark as it will have a positive impact on promoting breastfeeding in our city.”