Wrexham organisations recognised for their breastfeeding support for mums and babies

Organisations in Wrexham have been recognised for the welcome and encouragement they give to breastfeeding mums.

Caia Park, Abergele and Llanberis are the first parts of north Wales to be named as Breastfeeding Welcome Communities because of the widespread support on offer for mothers, babies and their families

The three locations all have effective peer and mutual support networks, dedicated community groups led by specially-trained health visitors, and strong backing for breastfeeding in the local business community.

More than half of the independent businesses and venues in each area have signed up to the health board’s Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme – which encourages organisations to create a positive atmosphere for breastfeeding.

Apra Ames-Roberts and Dianne Hughes from The Happy Hedgehog Café and Delta Academy of Dance and Performing Arts believe welcoming and supporting breastfeeding mothers is just a natural part of the support they offer to the wider community in Caia Park.

“On any Saturday, we can have hundreds of children walk in here over a six hour period,” Apra said. “And lots of their parents bring smaller siblings with them in a car seat or in a sling.

“It’s about mothers knowing that no-one is going to judge them. There really shouldn’t be any problem or stigma with breastfeeding in public any more. People should know they don’t need to hide away to feed or express milk.

“We’re very pleased to welcome them. I find our breastfeeding mums tend to sit and meet together – I like to see them coming out, sitting with us and chatting amongst themselves about things.

“Most of the time, no one can tell they are breastfeeding.”

Families can now check a new easy-to-use online map to find premises which are members of the the scheme, or look out for the logo in the window.

The health board worked with Dewis Cymru to create the interactive guide to businesses and other venues which have registered their support for breastfeeding. It is the first time breastfeeding-positive venues have been mapped in this way anywhere in Wales.

The online map of Breastfeeding Welcome venues includes a wide range of businesses, including ATS Euromaster at Maesgwyn Garage on Wrexham’s Mold Road.

Like many business leaders across North Wales, manager Phil Jones has already proudly displayed the Breastfeeding Welcome sticker.

“Anything we can do to make women who are breastfeeding feel a little bit more comfortable has got to be welcome,” he said.

“We’re all parents here, and we’ve all been through these sorts of things. So it’s an easy thing for us – we want to encourage mums to be happy to feed here if they need to.”

Breastfeeding has many long-lasting health and wellbeing benefits for mothers and their babies.

It protects against common infections and helps to reduce the risk of some serious illnesses.

Betsi Cadwaladr Executive Director of Public Health Teresa Owen said: “We want to do all we can to encourage and support breastfeeding, and one of the ways we can help mums to continue breastfeeding is by making it as easy and comfortable as possible to feed while they are out and about.

“Our health visitors, infant feeding specialists and peer supporters offer lots of help for breastfeeding mothers in all areas of North Wales – but it is so heartening to see such strong support for breastfeeding in Abergele, Caia Park and Llanberis, and particularly such great support from the local business community in these areas.

“We would like to replicate the success of these areas across the whole region – and urge more businesses who are positive about supporting breastfeeding to put themselves on the map by signing up to our Breastfeeding Welcome scheme.”

Jodie Phillips, Corporate Manager at Dewis developer Data Cymru, said the service was pleased to have worked with the health board to create the Breastfeeding Welcome map, because helping people find the right information about services and support is key to helping people maintain and improve their wellbeing.

“Using the Dewis Cymru directory to provide parents with an up-to-date, online list of businesses and other venues in North Wales where they can feel safe and comfortable breastfeeding is really something to celebrate.”

The right to breastfeed is public places is protected by law under the Equality Act 2010. The Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme is designed to offer more support and reassurance, and help mothers and babies continue breastfeeding while out and about.

All participating venues have signed up to the Breastfeeding Welcome policy, which encourages organisations and businesses to help breastfeeding mothers feel comfortable, and train staff to increase their awareness of breastfeeding and its benefits.

Featured image: Apra Ames-Roberts and Dianne Hughes from The Happy Hedgehog Café and Delta Academy of Dance and Performing Arts