‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ initiative supported by Ulster University

Ulster University has become a member of the Public Health Agency’s ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ scheme, which is an initiative that aims to make it easier for mums to recognise places where they can breastfeed their baby when they are out and about.

The University has joined a network of ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ venues that include many cafes, restaurants, shops and other businesses across Northern Ireland, and in doing so has agreed that:

• breastfeeding is acceptable in all areas of the business premises open to the general public
• a mother who is breastfeeding in an area of the business premises open to the general public will not be asked to move to another area or stop breastfeeding
• all staff members will be aware of the scheme and be supportive of breastfeeding mums
• they will display the Breastfeeding welcome here scheme window sticker and membership certificate.

Mark Latuske, Deputy Director of People & Culture (Employee Experience) and co-Chair of the Institutional Athena Swan SAT, said:

“At Ulster University, we want to create a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for everyone, and therefore we are delighted to have shown our commitment to the ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ scheme.

“We have displayed certificates and stickers demonstrating our membership of the scheme in the main foyer, commercial and catering areas of the university, and I would like to encourage staff, students and visitors to make mums feel welcome to feed their babies on all our campuses.”

Janet Calvert, the Public Health Agency’s Regional Breastfeeding Lead said:

“The Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme was created to help show community support for breastfeeding mums. Ulster University joining ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ is such a positive step for breastfeeding families. It helps increase awareness about breastfeeding, across all four campuses, and importantly it gets the message out there to all students, staff and visitors that babies have to be fed and they can be breastfed no matter where they are.

“Breastfeeding is the best start in life. Showing increased support for breastfeeding mums is really important, as Northern Ireland has the lowest breastfeeding rates in the UK and one of the lowest rates in Europe

“Creating that supportive environment helps make breast feeding more acceptable and the normal way to feed baby. It is also something that we can all play an active part in building and help mums feel more comfortable about feeding in public as we know this is something that many mums are apprehensive about.”

Find out more:

Ulster University’s details have been added to an interactive map of organisations and companies who participate in the ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ scheme, and can be found at www.breastfedbabies.org