We welcome breastfeeding
Information on the We Welcome Breastfeeding scheme for businesses.
Islington is proud to support public, private, and voluntary sector organisations, and businesses to show breastfeeding families that they want them to have a positive experience of breastfeeding when they’re out and about.
Breastfeeding is important for mums, infants, and the environment. But many women stop breastfeeding before they want to, often due to worries about feeding in public.
The right to breastfeed in any public place is protected by law. This means that breastfeeding parents should never be asked to move, stop feeding or leave.
Public perception can leave parents feeling uncertain about whether venues and their staff will put this into practice. Islington Welcomes Breastfeeding reassures them that they do.
Who is this for?
Islington Welcomes Breastfeeding is for any Islington venue, small or large: hairdressers, shops, cafes, restaurants, leisure centres, libraries, museums, community centres, and anywhere else that is open to the public. Businesses can choose to sign up individually or across a group of premises.
By joining other local venues in actively welcoming breastfeeding, you will:
- Show that you care about your customers feeling comfortable
- Let parents know that you will uphold their legal right to breastfeed in your venue
- Help promote your business within the community
What do venues and businesses need to do?
The main commitments are to:
- Put up the We Welcome Breastfeeding sign and poster to show breastfeeding families you will make them feel welcome
- Make sure that your staff understand someone’s legal right to feed in public
There’s no cost to you. All the materials are provided, along with guidance and individualised support if you need it.
For more information and to sign up, email whh-tr.islingtonwelcomesbreastfeeding@nhs.net
If you’re a parent or carer, you can find more information about breastfeeding, including where to get support, on the Find Your Islington directory website. You can also let us know about your favourite places to breastfeed, and we’ll contact the venues – or you can encourage them to sign up themselves!