Breastfeeding-friendly establishments

Background

It is well known that breast milk is the perfect food for babies providing all the nutrients a baby needs for up to the first six months of life. Babies who are fed breast milk have lower incidences of many diseases including gastrointestinal upsets, allergies, ear infections and respiratory infections.

Breastfeeding is not only best for babies, but also benefits mothers and the community. Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of developing ovarian cancer, pre-menopausal breast cancer and osteoporosis. Communities benefit from the savings made through reduced health care costs and demand on health care services. Breastfeeding is environmentally friendly and imposes no costs on the environment in terms of production, packaging or waste disposal.

Recent studies have shown that women can be reluctant to breastfeed outside the Home. The primary reasons given are embarrassment, perceived disapproval and lack of facilities. The "breastfeeding mothers welcome here" sticker has been developed by the Australian Breastfeeding Association to help women feel more comfortable breastfeeding while out and about and to make the general community more aware of breastfeeding.

To be awarded "Breastfeeding-Friendly" status and display the sticker, establishments must meet certain criteria:

Essential:

• a welcoming attitude towards breastfeeding mothers
• space to move a pram
• non-smoking environment

Desirable:

• a comfortable temperature
• comfortable Seating (movable chairs)
• easy access to a toilet with a pram or stroller
• easy access from the footpath
• provisions for toddlers such as highchairs, toys
• baby changing facilities

Look out for this sticker around the Kiama Municipality and the Illawarra.

NSW anti-discrimination legislation

By encouraging women to breastfeed, local restaurants and cafes are complying with current legislation which prevents women from being asked to leave a premise because they are breastfeeding their baby.

Links

Australian Breastfeeding Association - promoting breastfeeding and the benefits of its practice.