Wandsworth (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Wandsworth Council is promoting breastfeeding support and urging businesses to join the Breastfeeding Friendly scheme during World Breastfeeding Week.
Both mothers and newborns benefit from breastfeeding for the rest of their lives. It gives babies vital nutrients, aids in the development of their immune systems, and fosters a close emotional relationship between parents and children. The first six months of a baby’s life should be spent exclusively nursing, according to the World Health Organization.
Every family in Wandsworth should feel secure and encouraged in their eating decisions. For this reason, we have partnered with The Breastfeeding Network to introduce the Breastfeeding Friendly initiative, a developing network of establishments and public areas throughout the borough dedicated to embracing and assisting nursing families.
29 local locations, including family centers, libraries, cafes, general practitioners’ offices, sports facilities, and pubs, have joined the program since its April start. Every location posts a transparent sign in its window to inform families that breastfeeding is acceptable there without fear of criticism or coercion.
Graeme Henderson, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community safety said,
“In Wandsworth, we’re committed to supporting residents to live healthier, happier lives and that means working closely with local businesses and communities to make wellbeing more accessible for everyone.”
Francisco Pereira at Barn Elms Sports Centre said,
“The reason why we accepted to be part of the scheme to be breastfeeding friendly at Barn Elms Sports Centre was due to our commitment and focus in assisting the community and being inclusive to all the members of the community around us, which also would include being breastfeeding friendly and having a safe and comfortable space for breastfeeding privately.”
Public breastfeeding is protected by law. However, a parent’s level of comfort might be influenced by social attitudes. For this reason, in addition to making families feel more at ease, the Breastfeeding Friendly program teaches volunteers and employees in participating establishments the value of fostering courteous and safe settings.
Additionally, they provide Wandsworth families with infants and young children with a variety of support services. This covers Well Baby clinics, 1-1 Specialist Infant Feeding clinics, and nursing drop-in groups.
Their UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative-trained Health Visiting staff provides professional advice on breastfeeding, responsive feeding, and maximizing your milk supply.
What resources and support services does Wandsworth Council provide to breastfeeding parents?
After birth, breastfeeding mothers are supported initially by the hospital maternity team and then by health visitors at home from around day 10 to 14. Health visitors provide ongoing breastfeeding advice and help families feed safely and responsively.
These include breastfeeding support clinics staffed by health visitors, nursery nurses, and lactation consultants throughout the borough. Drop-in Well Baby clinics and one-to-one specialist infant feeding sessions are available to address breastfeeding challenges.
The Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) Health Visiting Team offers a duty line available daily from 9 am to 5 pm via phone or email for timely breastfeeding advice and referrals.