‘Anywhere a new mum would go’ - Commission keen to extend breastfeeding welcome scheme

Specialist nurse Caroline Hoar said they had been really pleased with the reaction since the scheme was expanded shortly before Christmas, and was keen to keep spreading the word.

‘I would love to see the pink welcome stickers everywhere,’ she said.

‘I would like to see hairdressers, supermarkets and banks displaying the sign too. Anywhere a new mum would have to go.’

The scheme, launched in 2018, encourages mothers to feel comfortable feeding their infant wherever they are.

She said that since a recent article in the Guernsey Press, they had been approached by further establishments interested in signing up.

‘The cafe owners who have signed up so far have been really positive, for a few it has been quite cathartic as they remembered the problems they faced breastfeeding,’ she said.

‘We have even had an approach from Ladies College, who want to display the sign to let mums who might be dropping off kids to know they are welcome.’

Speaking at one of two weekly sessions, Bosom Buddies, that advises and supports new mothers, she said that removing any stigma from breastfeeding was essential to encourage new mothers to breastfeed their newborns.

‘We want to make it as easy and positive for mothers in Guernsey to give their kids the very best start in life.'

She added that the more informed people were, the more likely they were to choose to breastfeed their infants.

‘We are really trying to level the health playing field,’ she said.

‘One thing that can bring children from low socio economic backgrounds to level that health inequality is breastfeeding.’

Mrs Hoar said that after birth take-up of breastfeeding in Guernsey was around 78% to 80%, but dropped to about 48% by weeks four to six.

‘One of those reasons is mums not feeling welcome. It coincides with wanting to get out and about more, which is so important for mental health.’

Hayley McInnes was at the session with her one-month-old daughter Lainey, and said she was now at the stage when she would be taking her daughter out and about more.

‘I have not ventured out much yet, but I know that I might feel a little self conscious breastfeeding in a public place at first, especially when both me and Lainey are still getting the hang of it,’ she said, speaking before Christmas.

‘So having places you know you are welcome does give peace of mind. And I will be looking out for the sticker.’

Breastfeeding has been shown to lower the risk of both ovarian and breast cancer and Mrs Hoar said there were many other health advantages for both mother and baby.

‘We call breast milk a living fluid because it changes with the babies need,’ she said.

‘It has a impact on healthy weight for both mother and baby, antibodies transferred from mum to baby health help protect against respiratory and gastroenteritis, even the babies jaw action help clear the ears preventing infections and helps with dental alignment. Breastfeeding is also very green, with no packaging and no waste.’

• Find more information on the scheme here.