Baby Friendly Businesses Boom

3 June 2008

The recent breastfeeding-based project from the Taranaki District Health Board’s Health Promotion Unit has been a great success.

The project’s aim was to identify local businesses that created an environment where mothers could breastfeed their babies in peace and quiet.

“A breast-feeding mother actually visited a whole lot of businesses, such as cafes, and spoke to the owners and management about their facilities,” says public health nutritionist Amanda Brien. “She was thrilled to report back to us that New Plymouth businesses are very supportive and co-operative.”

This particular project was carried out in 2002 but in a more limited way. It has been revamped this year because there are a lot more cafes and play gyms that provide meeting places for young mothers these days. “We wanted to identify the places in the community that are now or would be prepared to be breastfeeding friendly,” says Amanda.

Breastfeeding is one of the Ministry of Health targets, she says, and the practice seems to have fallen out of favour. “We want to give mothers every opportunity to breastfeed their babies because of the undoubted benefits it brings both mother and child.”

Taranaki DHB public health dietitian and health promoter Jill Nicholls agrees. “Aside from the nutritional benefits to the baby, there is the bonding that takes place. It is also very good for the mother’s health by providing protection against breast and ovarian cancer, and of course it is vital for providing immunity for the child.”  
The mother conducting the survey was given the following criteria checklist:

• Staff - are staff supportive of and welcoming to breastfeeding mothers?
• Smokefree – although this is now enshrined in legislation, some mothers may wish to breastfeed outdoors on a lovely day, so is there an appropriate area where this can happen?
• Comfortable seating – does the business provide appropriate seating, preferably with low arms?
• Safe and secure environment – because many breastfeeding mothers also have toddlers it is imperative that they are safe. An example would be an area where electric sockets are covered.
• Clean – is the area kept clean and hygienic?
• Comfortable temperature – for both mother and baby.
• Pushchair access – is there enough room for pushchairs?  Can a twin pushchair fit through the front door?
• Some privacy – does the environment enable the woman to breastfeed discreetly?
• Baby change and hand-washing area – is there somewhere close by where a baby can be changed and a mother can wash her hands?
• Evaluation – is the business willing to participate in future evaluation of the project.

The businesses must meet all the criteria to attain Breastfeeding Welcome Here status and the accreditation is valid for two years.

The successful businesses get a professionally designed sticker to put on their front window or door so that mothers know that here is somewhere they can safely feed their babies.

“It’s a great thing for businesses, too,” says Jill, “because it attracts customers they may not have had. If a mother has to stay home because the baby needs feeding then businesses miss out.”  
The mother who checked out all the businesses made particular mention of Centre City, says Amanda. “The new parenting room in Centre City fits all the criteria and is very supportive of the programme.” In fact, it has become so popular the centre management say they have to change the towels etc far more frequently than they ever have.

Both Amanda and Jill stress that environment and support play a big part in whether a woman continues to breastfeed. A baby has a perfect start to life if breastfed for the first six months and then by a combination of breast milk and complementary feeding. When women feel comfortable and secure in their environment, they and their babies benefit.  

The businesses that have earned Breastfeeding Welcome Here status are: Bananas, CC Wards, Esquires Coffee House, Gloria Jean’s Coffees, Lollipops Playland, Starbucks, Bubbles Early Learning Centre, Centre City Shopping Centre, Espresso Café, Jack and Jill’s Educational Activity Centre, Pukeariki, Taranaki Base Hospital, Snickerdoodles (Oakura), Collage Café and Urban Attitude (both Stratford), Sugar Juice Café (Opunake) and in Hawera: Amcal Central Pharmacy, Ruanui Health Centre, Hawera Library Plus and Robertson’s Unichem Pharmacy. 

Last updated: Tuesday, June 3, 2008