A campaign encouraging businesses and community venues to welcome families who breastfeed is continuing to grow across South Cambridgeshire, four years after it was first launched.
South Cambridgeshire District Council, working alongside NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's Infant Feeding Team and local partners, is celebrating the ongoing success of the #FreeToFeed campaign, which helps create welcoming spaces for families across the district.
Since launching in 2022, the campaign has encouraged 174 businesses, community venues and public organisations to sign the FreeToFeed pledge demonstrating their support for families who breastfeed and / or express milk while out and about.
The initiative aims to help families feel confident feeding their babies whenever and wherever they need to, while increasing understanding among businesses, staff and the wider public.
Every venue signed up to the campaign agrees to adopt a breastfeeding welcome policy and ensure staff understand how to support families in a positive and inclusive way.
Cllr Dr. Lisa Redrup, Lead Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities for the District, said: "We're incredibly proud of how the FreeToFeed campaign has grown over the past four years. What started as a simple idea to make families feel more welcome has become an important part of creating inclusive communities across South Cambridgeshire. Parents should never feel uncomfortable feeding their baby while out enjoying local shops, cafés, community facilities or visitor attractions. By signing the pledge, venues are sending a clear message that families are welcome and supported. We would love even more places across the district to get involved and help build on the fantastic progress that has already been made."
The campaign supports wider work across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to give children the best possible start in life.
Justine Fieth, breastfeeding counsellor for Cambridge Breastfeeding Alliance, said: "Breastfeeding in public places is protected by law throughout the UK, yet many mothers and parents still feel unsure about feeding their baby when they are out and about. The FreeToFeed campaign gives businesses a simple way to show that breastfeeding families are welcome, valued and supported. Breastfeeding is a natural way to meet a baby’s needs, providing nourishment, comfort and important health benefits for both baby and mother. By joining the FreeToFeed campaign, businesses help to normalise breastfeeding in public places and create welcoming, inclusive spaces where families can feel confident feeding their babies.”
Nina Morley, of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough children's service, run by East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust, said: "The success of the Free to Feed campaign demonstrates what can be achieved when councils, health services, businesses and communities work together. We are delighted to see the campaign continuing to flourish and making a real difference for local families."
Local businesses that have signed the pledge often report positive experiences, helping them demonstrate their commitment to being family-friendly while welcoming a broader customer base.
· South Cambridgeshire District Council is encouraging any businesses, cafés, community venues, leisure facilities or organisations that have not yet joined the campaign to sign the pledge and become officially FreeToFeed friendly. For more information and how to get involved, visit the District Council website or email Duty.Communities@scambs.gov.uk
· Discover the FreeToFeed venues by checking out the interactive map in this link.
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