Dedicated breastfeeding spaces across the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight Council Public Health team is working with Breastfeeding Network Isle of Wight to launch the Isle of Wight Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme. 

The aim of the scheme is to improve mothers’ experiences with breastfeeding in cafes, restaurants, shops, and public buildings across the Island.

County Hall, Isle of Wight Council libraries, leisure centres, Family Hubs and Centres have all become breastfeeding friendly venues. The Council is encouraging other businesses and organisations across the Island to also become breastfeeding friendly venues as well. It’s easy to do, just complete a registration form which can be found by visiting: Family Hub

“Councillor Debbie Andre, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, commented ‘Many families on the Island still feel anxious about breastfeeding in public. By signing up to this scheme and displaying the breastfeeding friendly window stickers, businesses and organisations across the island can show that they welcome and support families. We know that breastfeeding provides a great start in life for babies and providing a friendly environment which encourages families to go out, even if they are breastfeeding, will also promote the wellbeing of the whole family.’

By signing up, businesses and organisations agree to the pledge and to complete a staff awareness session. This is to ensure all staff understand and support the scheme, as well as supporting breastfeeding employees as an employer. Registered venues will display the breastfeeding friendly window sticker, so families will recognise that they support breastfeeding on the premises.

It is free for businesses and organisations to sign up to the Isle of Wight Breastfeeding Friendly scheme. Further information about the scheme along with a list of registered venues can be found by visiting Family Hub