Cornwall Businesses Rally Behind Breastfeeding Support Scheme: Over 100 Venues Sign Up

In a significant show of support for new mothers, more than 100 businesses across Cornwall have signed up for Cornwall Council’s “Breastfeeding Welcome” campaign. Launched in August last year during World Breastfeeding Week, the scheme encourages cafes, pubs, restaurants, and other public venues to display a special sticker, signalling their support for women who wish to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding Welcome scheme from Cornwall Council on Vimeo.

Creating Safe Spaces for Mums

The initiative has seen enthusiastic participation from local businesses. Emma Redhead, owner of the Barley Sheaf in Truro, shared her reasons for joining the scheme: “We thought it was a really good idea to have a safe environment where women can feed their babies and don’t feel like they are going to be judged or looked at.”

Similarly, Emma Sims, who runs The Hair Boutique in Truro, explained that her salon signed up because they have always supported breastfeeding mothers. “We are more than happy for new mums to come in with their babies, get their hair done and feel comfortable that they can come in and breastfeed as and when they need to,” she said.

Addressing a Widespread Concern

Research indicates that while around 90% of parents in Cornwall express a desire to breastfeed, nearly a third of babies are no longer breastfed by the time they reach six to eight weeks old. This drop is often linked to difficulties that could be mitigated with better support.

Cornwall Council has recognised these challenges and is taking steps beyond the “Breastfeeding Welcome” campaign to provide additional support. This includes extending peer support groups into school holidays and hiring a new team of Infant Feeding Support Workers to assist in the community.

Encouraging Public Breastfeeding

Councillor Barbara Ellenbroek, cabinet member for children and families at Cornwall Council, praised the widespread participation in the scheme. “Many mums feel nervous about breastfeeding in public places, which can mean they end up staying at home when their baby is born. This can make them feel lonely and isolated or mean that they choose not to breastfeed or stop feeding before they want to,” she said.

“The Breastfeeding Welcome scheme is a brilliant way for businesses and organisations to show that they support women who want to breastfeed and will help them feel more comfortable feeding their baby in their premises.”

Legal Rights and Business Responsibilities

Under the Equality Act 2010, women have a legal right to breastfeed in any public place, and it is illegal to treat a woman unfavourably for doing so. This law applies to all businesses and organisations that provide services to the public, ensuring that both staff and customers must respect this right.

Ruth Fromow, Infant Feeding Lead at Cornwall Council, expressed her satisfaction with the campaign’s progress: “I’m delighted that our Breastfeeding Welcome campaign has attracted so much support among the business community, and I would urge any business that hasn’t yet signed up to do so and display a sticker.”

She also highlighted ongoing issues faced by breastfeeding mothers, noting, “Unfortunately, there are still some people who complain about mums feeding their babies in public even though it is against the law to treat a woman unfairly because she is breastfeeding.”

As the campaign continues to gain traction, it is hoped that more businesses will join the effort to support breastfeeding mothers across Cornwall.

For more information on the scheme, visit Cornwall Council’s website, or for resources on breastfeeding support, visit Cornwall Council’s breastfeeding page.