Mums welcome #FreeToFeedCP anniversary which empowers parents to breastfeed and pump in public

Parents are empowered to breastfeed or pump in public in venues across South Cambridgeshire thanks to a campaign that celebrates its first anniversary.

The #FreeToFeedCP campaign celebrates its anniversary during World Breastfeeding Week and has seen more than 70 venues in the District pledge their support in the last 12 months.

The South Cambridgeshire campaign has been so successful it is now being rolled out into East Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Breastfeeding mums Kat O’Shea and Lucy Borg, who attend Gamlingay Eco Hub’s mums and tot group, Cha Char Chimps, say #FreeToFeed helps give parents confidence knowing that venues are welcoming and understanding.

The Eco Hub at Gamlingay is just one of a range of venues which have signed up to the #FreeToFeedCP project, including community centres, cafes, restaurants, a business conference centre, Govia Thameslink Railway and Shepreth Wildlife Park.

Venues pledge their support by signing up, ensuring staff are aware about being breastfeeding and pump friendly, and displaying campaign stickers and promotional material in their premises.

The initiative is supported by NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Infant Feeding Team and the ‘Family Hubs’ partnership. Funding comes from the Public Health team at Cambridgeshire County Council from their Healthy Weight grant, as breastfeeding can prevent obesity risk by up to 25 per cent. 

This project supports the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Health System priorities of supporting people with opportunities to be as healthy as they can be.  

Kat O’Shea is breastfeeding her third baby, son Lucas, born July 2023. She said: “The #FreeToFeed project is a brilliant campaign as it is easy to look for the sticker in a window. It can make a significant difference to help women feel more comfortable about going in to feed their children. Having that welcoming atmosphere can really empower women to feel safe. Plus, I’m sure it will encourage women to return if they know they can relax in a welcoming environment, so it’s good for business too.”

Mum Lucy Borg, 23, breastfeeds her first baby, son Ashton Ramsay, 10-months old. She said: “We love to go out and about, and for me breastfeeding is easy as I don’t have to pre plan packing up bottles. It is also good for Ashton. There’s not always a designated place where you can go to feed and while I’m happy to feed him in the open, not everyone is comfortable, so the #FreeToFeed project is great for helping give women confidence to feed in public. Seeing a #FreeToFeed sign is a great way to know you’ll feel welcomed by staff. It can make such a difference. I know of mums who have felt anxious breastfeeding in public especially when first learning, so knowing you can find a safe space to go is really helpful.”

Cllr Bridget Smith, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We are delighted at how successful #FreeToFeedCP has been in the last year. Breastfeeding is proven to be very beneficial to the health of the mother and baby, so it should not be daunting to breastfeed or pump in public while families are out with their children. As someone who breast fed all three of my sons, I feel strongly that normalising breastfeeding and pumping in public is really important.”

Nina Morley, Infant Feeding lead, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Health Visiting Service, said: “Feeding in public can be daunting for some, so having venues that people can go to knowing that they will welcome and cater for breastfeeding or pumping mother's is very important. #FreeToFeedCP is such an exciting initiative that we want to grow in the community. We hope it will help families feel confident and ‘free to feed’ wherever they are.”

Helen Freeman, Commissioning Team Manager of the Healthy Child Programme for Public Health Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “We are excited to see #FreeToFeedCP grow and develop across county. This important campaign raises awareness with community hubs and local businesses. It’s also a great way to support local families and we hope it is inspiring, giving confidence for them to go out and enjoy quality time together – which is good for the wellbeing of the whole family.”

Cllr Susan van de Ven, vice-chair of the Adults and Health Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council and local member for Melbourn & Bassingbourn, said: “Breastfeeding is well known to lead to positive health outcomes for both mother and baby, so we were very pleased to support the work of #FreeToFeedCP as part of our commitment to help the residents of Cambridgeshire to be as healthy as they can be. We are now delighted to hear how successful the campaign has been in its first year. I was surprised to learn that breastfeeding rates in the UK are among the worst in the world so it’s vital that projects that destigmatize both breastfeeding and pumping in public continue to be supported.”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Service Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said: “Congratulations to FreeToFeed on such a successful first year. We’re committed to making our services as comfortable and accessible as possible for everyone, and that includes making breastfeeding and pumping normal everyday activities on the train, so that no-one feels awkward about it. We want families to have the confidence to travel with us and feel ‘FreeToFeed’. I breastfed both my kids, and on trains too, so this is something I really endorse.” 

• For more information and how to get involved, visit the South Cambridgeshire District Council #FreeToFeedCP page on their website or Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust website.
• To find out more about taking the pledge to become a breastfeeding / pump friendly venue email: Communities@scambs.gov.uk

World Breastfeeding Week, organised by the World Health Organisation, is supported by WHO, UNICEF and many Ministries of Health and civil society partners. World Breastfeeding Week is held in the first week of August every year.

Kat's Story

Kat O’Shea is breastfeeding her third baby, son Lucas, born July 2023. She said: “The #FreeToFeed project is a brilliant campaign as it is easy to look for the sticker in a window. It can make a significant difference to help women feel more comfortable about going in to feed their children. Having that welcoming atmosphere can really empower women to feel safe. Plus, I’m sure it will encourage women to return if they know they can relax in a welcoming environment, so it’s good for business too.

“I love breastfeeding because for me it makes life easier. I don’t have to pack bottles up or plan ahead. I can soothe baby quickly in or out of the house. There’s of course heath incentives and it’s cheaper than formula. I was lucky that both the kids and I didn’t find breastfeeding difficult.

“Out and about, generally speaking, attitudes to breastfeeding women are quite good, but knowing I can find places that are welcoming to breastfeeding mums definitely makes a difference.

“I know women can be put off breastfeeding if they worry about doing it in public. So, knowing there’s supportive places you can go is great. You can also find clothes that make it much easier to do it or more discreetly if you wish to. I can highly recommend the Facebook group Can I Breastfeed In It UK which has real people posting outfits from high street stores, that work well to feed in. Breastfeeding Brasseries are also great as you can connect with others for advice, support and friendship.”

Lucy’s story

Lucy Borg, 23, breastfeeds her first baby, son Ashton Ramsay, 10-months old. She said: “We love to go out and about, and for me breastfeeding is easy as I don’t have to pre plan packing up bottles. It is also good for Ashton. There’s not always a designated place where you can go to feed and while I’m happy to feed him in the open, not everyone is comfortable, so the #FreeToFeed project is great for helping give women confidence to feed in public.”

Breastfeeding is good from a cost perspective, you don’t need to prep bottles, it is quick to be able to feed and soothe your baby, it has many health benefits and is recommended for two years by WHO. There is a plethora of benefits for mother and baby and of course for the bonding – there’s nothing quite like it.

“I think it’s important to have spaces where you can go for privacy that are clean, have a comfy seat and where you know you’ll be welcomed, If I know there is a breastfeeding friendly place then I will always aim to go there.

“Seeing a #FreeToFeed sign is a great way to know you’ll feel welcomed by staff. It can make such a difference. I know of mums who have felt anxious breastfeeding in public especially when first learning, so knowing you can find a safe space to go is really helpful.

“For anyone new to breastfeeding my advice is to find a Breastfeeding Brasserie, a group of women and professionals who are friendly and can offer good evidence-based advice. Also great is the App called Peanut, which helps you find other mums nearby who can offer advice.

“Pumping can be more challenging especially in public. Some women who experience latching problems can find pumping easier but then when they pump and bottle feed in public, they can get funny looks. Public awareness around that still needs raising as it can be deemed taboo.

Breastfeeding doesn’t necessarily come naturally, often it takes practice and good advice. Having venues where you know you are welcomed in public can really help women to feel more relaxed, especially those with new-borns who are breastfeeding for the first time.”