Our ‘Breastfeeding Welcome’ scheme is aimed at cafes, restaurants and other venues. It gives them the chance to show that they welcome and support new mums who want to breastfeed. The scheme is funded through the Government’s Start for Life programme.
What does the scheme aim to do?
The Breastfeeding Welcome scheme is a way for businesses and organisations to show that they support breastfeeding women. They can do this by displaying a special sticker in their windows. This aims to help mums feel more comfortable feeding their baby when they’re out and about.
Why do we need the scheme?
Many mums feel nervous about breastfeeding in public places. This can mean they end-up staying at home when their baby is born, which can make them feel lonely and isolated. Or that they choose not to breastfeed or stop feeding before they want to.
Why is breastfeeding important?
Breastfeeding helps protect babies from:
- severe diarrhoea and vomiting
- chest infections
- eczema
- cot death
- ear infections
- becoming overweight
- asthma
- coughs and colds
- diabetes
Breastfeeding helps protect mums from:
- ovarian and breast cancer
- the risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease
- osteoporosis which is a condition that affects bone strength
What does the law say about breastfeeding in public?
By law women have a right to breastfeed in any public place. The Equality Act 2010 says that it is against the law to treat a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding. This covers any business or organisation that provides services to the public. It applies to any staff and customers of that business or organisation.
How can venues help support a breastfeeding mum?
As a member of the scheme, we ask that businesses display the Breastfeeding Welcome sticker in their window to show their support.
Breastfeeding Welcome venues are also supplied with further information for staff about:
- the scheme
- the legislation that protects breastfeeding mums
- ways to help a breastfeeding mum feel welcome
Are you a business owner that would be interested in joining the scheme? If so, please contact breastfeedingwelcome@cornwall.gov.uk to find out more.
Cornish businesses who support the scheme include:
- Calstock Therapy Hub, Unit 3B Commercial Road, Calstock, PL18 9QT
- Clements and Hope, Fore Street, Polperro, PL13 2QR
- National Trust Lanhydrock, Lanhydrock, Bodmin, PL30 5AD
- Slice Tintagel, Fore Street, Tintagel, PL34 0DA
- The Castle Heritage Centre, The Wharf, Bude, EX23 8LG
- The Courtyard, Fore Street, Looe, PL13 1AE
- Wadebridge Leisure Centre, Bodieve Road, Wadebridge, PL27 6BU
- Zero Gravity Academy of Gymnastics, 1-3 Castle Buildings, Gilston Road, Saltash, PL12 6TW
- AWNA Coffeehouse, The Square, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, TR11 5EP
- Bush Pepper, 6 Fore Street, Newquay, TR7 1LN
- Café Tengo, 1 Fore Street, St Austell, PL25 5PX
- Hidden Hut, Porthcurnick Beach, Portscatho, TR2 5EB
- Hidden Valley Gardens, Par, PL24 2TU
- Kresen Kernow, Little Vauxhall, Redruth, TR15 1AS
- Lappa Valley Railway, Benny Halt, St Newlyn East, Newquay, TR8 5LX
- Lighthouse Café , 11 Market Square, Mevagissey , St Austell, PL26 6UD
- Little Avalon, Valley Caravan Park, Polzeath, PL27 6SS
- Lobbs Farm Shop, Heligan, St Ewe, St Austell, PL26 6EN
- Palm Bay, 8 Bank Street, Newquay, TR7 1JF
- Par Track Café, Moorland Road, Par, PL24 2PB
- Royal Cornwall Museum, 25 River Street, Truro, TR1 2SJ
- Teacup Tearoom, 21 Church Street, Mevagissey St Austell, PL26 6SP
- The Croust Hut, King Edward Mine, Troon, Camborne, TR14 9HW
- The Sea Bean Hive, Ground Floor Café, Gateway Business Centre, Barncoose Industrial Estate, Redruth, TR15 3RQ
- The Standard Inn, Treloan Lane, Gerrans, Portscatho, TR2 5EB
- Truro Cathedral, The Cathedral Office, The Old Cathedral School, Cathedral Close, Truro, TR1 2FQ
- Beige Donuts Limited, 36c Jew Street, Penzance, TR18 2HT
- Birdies Bistro, Griggs Quay, Hayle, TR27 6HN
- Duke Street Cafe, 6 Duke Street, Newlyn, TR18 5JA
- Penzance Gymnastics Club, Unit D, Questmap Business Park, Poniou Way, Long Rock Industrial Estate, Penzance, TR20 8AS
- The Front Room Penzance, 83 Market Jew Street, Penzance, TR18 2LG
- The Honey Pot, 5 Parade Street, Penzance, TR18 4BU
- Tremenheere Kitchen, Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Tolver, Penzance, TR20 8YL
- Trewidden Garden Tearooms, Buryas Bridge, Penzance, TR20 8TT
- Two Sisters, 38 Fore Street, St Ives, TR26 1HE