Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is important to Northumberland County Council. This is why we are Breastfeeding Friendly. 

We acknowledge the evidence that breastfeeding benefits both mother and child. Protecting their health and promoting the best start in life.

Our ambition is to make our public environments and attitudes of staff as supportive as possible. We aim to significantly increase our breastfeeding rates. 

 We work in partnership with our health providers and endorse the UNICEF Breastfeeding Friendly accreditation across the Trust and into our communities. Northumberland County Council employees have a bespoke training programme. This allows them to support mothers to breastfeed in all our public venues. The apprentices have designed posters and countertop displays to spread the word.

• Healthy Start is a government scheme designed to help pregnant women and children under four, in low-income families, eat healthily. Weekly vouchers to spend on milk, fruit, vegetables or infant formula are provided. It also gives useful information on healthy eating and general health.  

The Northumberland Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme 

Northumberland County Council and Northumberland Family Hubs encourage hospitality businesses and venues across the county to register for the Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme, to show support to breastfeeding mothers.  

Breastfeeding offers the best start in life to babies and the World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding (feeding only breast milk) up to 6 months. From the age of 6 months, children should begin eating safe and adequate complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years of age or beyond. 

The scheme offers a way to support and enable breastfeeding mothers to feel comfortable feeding their babies anytime, anywhere.  

How can my business/venue join the scheme? 

Please complete the registration form

You will be asked to agree to display the poster and sticker and meet the requirements of the pledge. 

We will send you some information for staff awareness. This will detail the benefits of breastfeeding and what is expected of a Breastfeeding Friendly venue. 

5 Pledges of a Breastfeeding Friendly venue 

• All employees will read the Northumberland Breastfeeding Friendly information and understand their role. 
• All employees and volunteers understand that mothers have a legal right to breastfeed their babies anywhere. Breastfeeding is welcomed in any part of the venue. 
• Breastfeeding customers will never be asked to move or cover up if another customer feels uncomfortable. 
• All areas of the venue are clean, comfortable and hygienic in accordance with Health and Safety legislation. 
• The Northumberland Breastfeeding Friendly poster and sticker will be displayed prominently and refreshed depending on condition. 

How will my business/venue benefit? 

Committing to being a breastfeeding friendly venue is good for business because: 

• It can attract new customers to visit. 
• It can improve your customer service skills. 
• Your venue will be listed on this webpage. 
• Breastfeeding has lifelong benefits for both mother and child. By showing your support you are contributing to the health of your community. 

What are the benefits of breastfeeding? 

Breastfeeding offers an array of benefits to the mother, the child and the family. Breast milk offers protection for babies against: 

• gastroenteritis 
• respiratory and ear infections 
• they are less likely to develop diabetes, eczema and asthma  
• They are less likely to become obese

Mothers are less likely to develop: 

• diabetes 
• osteoporosis
• breast and ovarian cancer  
• breastfeeding burns approximately 500 calories a day 
• For families it can have a huge financial benefit. They do not need to purchase sterilising and feeding equipment, or infant formula. 

I’m a breastfeeding Mum, how can I find a Breastfeeding Friendly venue? 

Details of venues registered as a breastfeeding friendly can be found here: 

Click here for a excel spreadsheet of the locations

Click here for a PDF of the locations

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