South Cambridgeshire village cafés sign up to breastfeeding-friendly #FreeToFeed campaign

Three village cafes are among the first to sign up to the #FreeToFeedCP campaign, which encourages businesses and community venues to pledge their support for families who breastfeed and/or pump.

They are the Looking Glass Café, Willingham, The Auctions Café, Willingham, and the Over Community Café.

Among the other businesses to take the FreeToFeedCP pledge are Shepreth Wildlife Park and Govia Thameslink Railway.

Businesses across South Cambridgeshire are being encouraged to join them.

South Cambridgeshire District Council is working with the NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough infant feeding team and the ‘Best Start in Life’ partnership to support venues across the district in the campaign.

The #FreeToFeedCP campaign is encouraging businesses and community venues to sign up and display the sticker and promotional material in their premises.

Cllr Bridget Smith, leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Breastfeeding is proven to be very beneficial to the health of the mother and baby; it should not be daunting for mothers to breastfeed or pump in bars, cafés, restaurants and other venues while they are out with their children.

“As someone who breastfed all three of my sons, I feel strongly that normalising breastfeeding and pumping in public is really important and something we can all help with through conversation and support.”

Nina Morley, of NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough infant feeding team, said: “As a service we are proud to hold stage 3 UNICEF baby friendly accreditation and we believe that breastfeeding has amazing health benefits for families, but knowing where to access support for breastfeeding can be difficult.

“All families, by law, are free to breastfeed and/or pump for their baby in public, anytime, anywhere.

“If breastfeeding parents are aware of local venues that support breastfeeding and will be welcoming of them, it will make a huge difference to their confidence and will support their breastfeeding journey.”

Almost three-quarters of women start breastfeeding when their child is born, but this drops to below half within six to eight weeks.

Evidence shows that the right support can help families sustain breastfeeding for longer.

To take the pledge and become breastfeeding friendly, venues must adopt the ‘breastfeeding welcome’ policy, and ensure staff are aware of how to implement it.

For more information and how to get involved, visit the South Cambridgeshire District Council #FreeToFeedCP page on its website or Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust website.

To find out more about taking the pledge to become a breastfeeding/pump-friendly venue, email Duty.Communities@scambs.gov.uk.