Do you breastfeed your baby? Calderdale health chiefs want your help!
Breastfeeding mums’ opinions are being sought to help local businesses and organisations become even more breastfeeding friendly.
Whether you’re a brand new mum figuring out your baby’s latch, or someone who has been breastfeeding for years, you could help make things even better for Calderdale mums of the future.
Taking place as part of National Breastfeeding Celebration Week (June 17-23, 2019), the feedback collected will help create criteria for a new Calderdale Breastfeeding Award, given to businesses and organisations who make nursing mums feel welcome.
There will also be celebration events across Calderdale, including:
The survey and activities are a joint venture by Calderdale Council’s Public Health Team, Locala Community Partnerships’ Health Visitors, volunteer Breastfeeding Peer Supporters, and Calderdale’s Children’s Centres.
This year’s theme is the benefits of skin-to-skin contact, straight after birth and throughout the early weeks of a baby’s life.
By Alice Lowrey: https://www.facebook.com/AllyRose.Photograpy/
Alison Walklate, Locala Health Visitor and Lead on Infant Feeding, said: “We know that mums feeling comfortable to breastfeed when they are out and about with their babies is vital – and that’s where our public buildings and local businesses can really help by offering those welcoming environments.”
You can take part in the survey at any of the breastfeeding celebration events, by visiting a well-child clinic over the next few weeks, or by posting on the Locala Calderdale Health Visitors and the Calderdale Breastfeeding Peer Support Service pages on Facebook.
My own experiences of breastfeeding around Calderdale have been nothing but positive.
I’ve nursed in shops, restaurants, playgrounds, libraries, museums and even training courses with no one batting an eyelid. Or if they did, they were very discreet.
This is my third baby, so I’m confident, don’t use a cover and couldn’t care less if anyone challenged me on my public breastfeeding.
But I know this isn’t always the case, and I remember vividly the feelings of awkwardness and embarrassment with my first, especially at the start when she was struggling to latch.
In Calderdale, you can get lots of support with breastfeeding, from calling the peer support service to visiting baby cafe.
Here’s where to find help if you need it:
To find out more about the activities on offer during National Breastfeeding Celebration Week visit the Locala Calderdale Health Visitors and the Calderdale Breastfeeding Peer Support Service pages on Facebook.
