Council backs breastfeeding in public campaign

The council is hosting a series of events to celebrate and normalise mother's breastfeeding in public

A council is backing an initiative to "normalise and celebrate" breastfeeding in public.

Children's centres run by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, along with NHS public health nurses, are hosting a series of events to coincide with Breastfeeding in Public Day, which takes place on Saturday.

The campaign was established to recognise the importance of breastfeeding to infant health and to give mothers the confidence to breastfeed their babies in public places.

Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education, said: "In East Riding, we want all new parents to feel welcome to feed their babies, whether this is in council-run venues, health buildings, or in public spaces."

She said the Breastfeeding in Public Day provided the "opportunity to celebrate and normalise breastfeeding".

"It is good for mums and babies, and we want to remove any barrier for parents, so that they can feed whenever they need to when they are out and about," she said.

The authority has also adopted the Breastfeeding Friendly scheme, which encourages local businesses to display posters highlighting they are in favour of the action.

Parents are invited to join any of the following events throughout the week:

• Anlaby Morrisons café - 24 February between 10:30 and 11:30 GMT

• Sandhill Garden Centre in Preston - 25 February between 10:30 and 11:30 GMT

• Withernsea Library - 25 February between 10:00 and 11:00 GMT

• Beverley Library - 25 February between 13.30 and 15:00 GMT

• Bridlington Library - 26 February between 10:00 and 11:00 GMT

• Buddhist Centre in Pocklington - 27 February between 10:00 and 11:00 GMT

• Goole Library - 27 February between 13:00 and 14:30 GMT

• Cottingham Library - 28 February between 10:30 and 11:30 GMT

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