A new Breastfeeding Friendly Pledge has been launched in Knowsley this week during World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August).
World Breastfeeding Week aims to raise awareness of the health and wellbeing outcomes of breastfeeding around the world and to support mothers to breastfeed.
Many public venues and businesses across Knowsley already welcome and support breastfeeding families and this new Breastfeeding Friendly Pledge will help families identify where these places are.
By signing the pledge, businesses are committing to a small number of acts that can make a big difference to a parent who is breastfeeding, including providing a clean and comfortable environment, offering a drink of water and where possible taking drinks and food orders to the parent so not to interrupt a baby’s feed.
Venues and businesses that are signed up to the pledge will display a Knowsley Breastfeeding Friendly sticker in their window and a signed copy of the pledge on the premises.
Already, 15 venues have signed the pledge, including cafes, bars and restaurants across Knowsley and Knowsley libraries in Halewood, Huyton, Kirkby and Prescot.
Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Health said: “Breastfeeding for even a short period brings many health benefits to mother and baby, but the longer breastfeeding continues the better.
“World Breastfeeding Week is an opportunity to highlight the fantastic services available to support mothers and babies in Knowsley and by launching the Breastfeeding Friendly Pledge, we are helping parents to find places where they will feel welcome and supported.”
Support when you need it
Families in Knowsley can access support from their health visiting services.
Knowsley’s Breastfeeding Buddy support service offers virtual and face-to-face support for all families both ante-natal and post-natal. There are also weekly drop-in sessions at Hilltop Children’s Centre and The Pride Children’s Centre.
The Infant Feeding Team offer a range of opportunities for families to access support in the local community.
Knowsley Early Years Service offer the HENRY programme to support families through the weaning journey.
Benefits of breastfeeding
One of the most effective ways to ensure a mother and child’s health and wellbeing is breastfeeding. Breast milk is safe, clean, free, and in the first six months of life solely provides all the nutrients needed for protection and development. The current breastfeeding recommendations produced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests exclusively breastfeeding for six months after delivery and then up to 2 years and beyond along with complimentary foods.
Research shows that breastfeeding has a range of long-term and short-term health benefits for mother and baby including reducing the likelihood of obesity, reducing the risk of developing asthma and allergies, a positive impact on mental health issues and a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer for mothers.
Knowsley has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in England. In Knowsley 43.6% of babies first feed is breastmilk, this is significantly lower than both the North West (62.4%) and England (67.4%) averages.
For a fully accessible copy of the Breastfeeding Pledge map please email familyhubs@knowsley.gov.uk
