Somerset families are invited to nominate their favourite Positive about Breastfeeding place to mark this year's World Breastfeeding Week (1-7th August 2018).

Cafes, gardens, open spaces, Abbey's, Town Halls, restaurants and sports centres have all become new Positive about Breastfeeding places over the last year and are now registered on the new website for families to look at when planning a trip out http://www.healthysomerset.co.uk/breastfeeding.

The Somerset 'Positive about Breastfeeding' programme is a quality mark awarded to public places who welcome breastfeeding families. It is given to venues that have made a significant commitment to uphold the rights of mothers and families by supporting their choice to feed their baby how and wherever they choose.

There is a growing list of positive places to visit in Somerset and so many of them are leading the way by demonstrating their commitment to giving every baby in Somerset the best start in life and supporting every family to have the greatest experience of breastfeeding while out and about that they can.

Most recently Frome Town Hall and Glastonbury Abbey have received the Somerset Positive About Breastfeeding status.

Councillor Kate Bielby at Frome Town Council said: "Frome Town Council wants to support mums to be able to breastfeed. Highlighting that the Town Hall is Positive About Breastfeeding is one way of doing this. We're hoping that more venues in Frome will now apply for the Award, which has been really simple to do.

"Frome Town Hall is the location for a local Baby Café. The café is held on a Friday from 10 – 12am and is a supportive environment for families with babies to come for a cuppa and advice. Anyone with a baby is welcome to attend."  More information about the Frome Baby Café is available from [email protected].

Janet Bell, Director of Glastonbury Abbey, said:  "We work hard to provide a good experience for all visitors including families, and we were really pleased to have been put forward by a family for this award. We run a toddler group every Tuesday morning during the summer months and also special quiet tours for those who have autism or who have relatives with the condition as well as a range of other activities – full details can be found on our website http://www.glastonburyabbey.com.

Breastfeeding provides a baby with all they need for healthy growth and development in the first six months and beyond. Breastmilk constantly adapts to meet a baby's daily needs and protects babies against a number of infections. Breastfeeding also helps mums by reducing the risk of breast cancer, diabetes and ovarian cancer.

Councillor Christine Lawrence, Chair of the Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board, said: "I am delighted that such a public commitment to supporting breastfeeding mums is being made by Positive About Breastfeeding venues. We know the importance of breastfeeding in promoting good health for both mum and for baby.

"We want Somerset to be a leading Positive About Breastfeeding county where families are supported to make the natural choice in infant feeding. As part of this, we also want parents to feel welcomed and supported to breastfeed when out and about in Somerset."

Other venues across Somerset are encouraged to apply for Positive About Breastfeeding status.

All organisations are listed on the new Positive About Breastfeeding website at http://www.healthysomerset.co.uk/breastfeeding.

Or why not tell us about your own special place to feed your baby http://www.facebook.com/Somersetbreastfeeding

Find out how your organisation can become registered as Positive About Breastfeeding and be promoted on our new website at http://www.healthysomerset.co.uk/breastfeeding and http://www.facebook.com/Somersetbreastfeeding.

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Photo caption:

Photo: Councillor Tricia Golinski visits the Frome Town Hall Baby café with the award.