The Trust’s Infant Feeding Team is launching a campaign in
2022 to raise awareness across Rotherham of the importance of
breastfeeding and to make feeding in public easier for new parents.
Anxiety around feeding in public is a significant barrier
to breastfeeding, and this campaign is designed to support new parents into
feeling more comfortable feeding their babies in public spaces across Rotherham.
Vicky Wilkinson, Community Infant Feeding Co-ordinator, who
is running the local campaign, said: “We want to create a culture of
encouragement and support for breastfeeding across Rotherham so that everyone
feels comfortable to feed their babies wherever they are.
“Breastfeeding rates in Rotherham are lower than the
national average. The low breastfeeding rates are an obvious incentive for
change and a real opportunity to address a key health inequality. The benefits
of breastfeeding to both child and parent go beyond nutrition and include
attachment, immunity protection and protection from long-term conditions and
diseases, including some forms of cancer.
“We’re creating information packs to provide new parents
with practical tips for feeding when they are around other people and a list of
Breastfeeding Friendly (BFF) venues and spaces across the town.”
Local businesses and organisations with public premises are
being invited to register to become a Breastfeeding Friendly (BF) venue.
Calling
all artists and crafters!
The aim of the Rotherham Backs Breastfeeding campaign is to
send a clear message to new parents that their breastfeeding efforts are valued.
Vicky said: “We want our campaign to be eye catching,
memorable and special. There are many talented artists, crafters and creators
in Rotherham that we would love to involve in the campaign. We are asking for a
variety of art and craft donations, a unique piece of art or craft for
inclusion in an exhibition to run in conjunction with the campaign.”
The
crafts should celebrate babies being breastfed or send an important message
about why breastfeeding in public must be supported. Pieces should be easy to
transport and display so not too large please.
The closing date for submissions of exhibition pieces is now 2 May, 2022.
More
details can be found on the Infant Feeding pages here.