Barnsley College Welcomes Breastfeeding Mums28 Mar 2011

Barnsley College has opened its doors to breastfeeding mums having achieved an award for making its facilities breastfeeding friendly.

The organisation was presented with the ‘Breastfeeding Friendly’ award having pledged its support to breastfeeding and working proactively with NHS Barnsley to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities in Barnsley. The award aims to create a welcoming environment for all breastfeeding mothers in venues across Barnsley.

Since the initiative launched in 2007, over 60 venues now welcome breastfeeding mums including all Barnsley Children’s Centres, The Mall shopping centre, the Metrodome, Barnsley Central Library and Barnsley FC’s Community Sports and Education Trust. Barnsley College is the largest educational organisation in the borough to achieve the award.

Polly Harrow, head of Personal and Social Development at Barnsley College, said: “Part of our ongoing work involves addressing areas, like breastfeeding, that impact on students’ personal and social development. We’re incredibly proud to be leading the way in education locally by being breastfeeding friendly and hope this move benefits mums for years to come.”

Kim Kennedy, Infant Feeding Facilitator for NHS Barnsley added: “The College is one of a number of settings that are committed to supporting breastfeeding, which is great for local mums who want to give their baby the healthiest start to life.

“It’s important for mums to feel confident to breastfeed wherever they are, which is why organisations are always encouraged to join the initiative and welcome women who choose to breastfeed.”

NHS Barnsley is working with partners including Barnsley Council, Barnsley Hospital and Voluntary Action Barnsley to promote breastfeeding as the normal feeding method of choice. Babies who are breastfed are less likely to develop many illnesses in infancy, childhood and adulthood.

More information for organisations looking to become breastfeeding friendly is available from www.vabarnsley.org.uk