A campaign by Limerick City and County Council and supported by Healthy Ireland has led to Limerick becoming Ireland’s breastfeeding-friendly Capital.
The ‘We’re Breastfeeding Friendly’ initiative aims to improve the health and wellbeing of breastfeeding mothers, babies and their families by encouraging businesses, organisations and communities to become ‘Breastfeeding Friendly’.
The secret behind the campaign is a concept toolkit, produced by Healthy Limerick and handed over to Healthy Ireland so that it can be used by local authorities across the country.
Interested participants can sign up for the campaign but must fulfil certain criteria. Participants premises must be acceptable for breastfeeding in all areas that are open to the public. Staff members must be supportive and aware of the campaign and breastfeeding mothers should not be asked to move or stop breastfeeding.
The onus will be on participants to make the public aware that their premises are taking part in the campaign by displaying ‘We’re Breastfeeding Friendly’ window sticker/ poster that will be provided by the relevant local authority.
Since its launch last September, more than 100 companies, businesses and organisations have signed up to the campaign. These include churches, local authority and healthcare buildings, restaurants and tourist attractions such as King John’s Castle.
Niall O’Callaghan, Managing Director of Shannon Heritage, which runs King John’s Castle, said the campaign “will have a huge positive impact for our visitor experience for those breastfeeding mums and we support this initiative.”
And its success has been acknowledged by Minister of State for Health Promotion Catherine Byrne who said that creating an environment that is welcoming to mothers who breastfeed is a really positive initiative.
Mayor James Collins described the campaign as a huge success for Limerick where it has risen awareness of the need to make breastfeeding mothers welcome and at ease.
Healthy Limerick Co-ordinator Mo Foley Walsh, who spearheaded the initiative, said that the level and depth of collaboration between the business, community and public sectors in Limerick made it clear that We’re Breastfeeding Friendly.
“Now that the campaign is growing beyond the county bounds, it’s a sign of Healthy Ireland in action,” she said.
by Miranda Leahy
