A new campaign from Public Health and Manx Care will highlight how local communities can help support families who are breastfeeding.
Sustaining Breastfeeding Together launches today during World Breastfeeding Week and will run throughout August.
The campaign highlights the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and how encouragement from partners, friends, workplaces and local venues can make a difference.
Breastfeeding Rates
Currently 48.6% of babies on the island are exclusively breastfed at six to eight weeks.
The campaign aims to help increase this to 70% by building on the support that already exists and by making it easier for families to continue breastfeeding for as long as they choose.
Practical support for breastfeeding mothers during the campaigns includes:
- Renewal of the ‘Welcome Breastfeeding’ scheme where participating cafés and coffee shops across the island display a blue sticker to show they are breastfeeding-friendly.
- New information online lists all local breastfeeding-friendly spaces, providing confidence for those who wish to breastfeed when out and about.
- Sessions for relaxed conversations about all things breastfeeding are being organised by Manx Care and Public Health across the island throughout August for those currently pregnant or breastfeeding and for their support networks. No booking is required.
The sessions are being held on:
- Friday, August 8 at 3pm -The George, Castletown
- Monday, August 11 at 10am – Jurby Health Centre
- Monday, August 18 at 10am – Davisons Ice Cream Parlour, Peel
- Friday, August 29 at 10am – Noa’s Market Hall, Douglas
A toolkit for employers is available for access advice and support to help them review and update their breastfeeding policies.
For more information, local events, and to view the list of breastfeeding-friendly venues, visit here.
4 Comments