Are you breastfeeding friendly?

NHS Western Isles is supporting Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland, a Scottish Government scheme aiming to encourage people to feel more comfortable about feeding their baby within a public setting.  We are asking local businesses and organisations to join the scheme and promote positive attitudes to breastfeeding within their premises.

If you sign up to the Scheme then we will ask you to display membership of the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland within your premises with stickers or posters we will provide, and ensure that both current and new staff are aware of the legislation to support breastfeeding mothers.  You do not need to provide a breastfeeding room: the scheme supports mothers to breastfeed wherever they are. However, if a mother asks for a private space you should try to support this request, although this might not always be possible. Toilets are not suitable breastfeeding spaces.

The Breastfeeding (Scotland) Act 2005 states it is illegal to stop a person feeding a child under the age of 2 years, in premises where the public have general access (including licensed premises if the child is lawfully permitted to be there). The Equality Act 2010 offers the same protection for breastfeeding children over the age of 2 years, supporting families for the duration of feeding.

If you register with this scheme, as well as the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland certificate and stickers, NHS Western Isles will support you by displaying your business name and address in our online database ensuring breastfeeding parents are aware you are a member of this scheme.

Please feel free to contact us with any ideas you might have which would make it more comfortable for people to breast feed their child in public areas. If you would like to sign up for the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Scheme, then email us at wi.breastfeedingfriendlyscotland@nhs.scot or visit www.mygov.scot/breastfeeding-and-your-business for further information.