Holywell among three North Wales areas praised for breastfeeding support
Three more areas of North Wales, including Holywell in Flintshire, have been recognised for their support of breastfeeding mothers and families.
Central Rhyl, Holywell and Llangefni have been named Breastfeeding Welcome Communities by the local health board. This designation highlights the strong peer support networks, community groups led by trained health visitors, and backing from local businesses.
More than half of independent businesses in each area have joined the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme, which encourages venues and their staff to foster a positive environment for breastfeeding.
They join Abergele, Llanberis and Caia Park in Wrexham, which received the status last summer.
Breastfeeding offers many long-term health benefits for mothers and babies, helping to protect against infections and reduce the risk of serious illnesses.
Dr Jane Moore, Executive Director of Public Health at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “It’s so encouraging to see such strong support for breastfeeding in the community across North Wales, and particularly in our new Breastfeeding Welcome Communities in Rhyl, Holywell and Llangefni.
“Our health visitors, infant feeding specialists and peer supporters offer lots of help for families in all areas of North Wales – and it’s really heartening and important to see this initiative is getting such consistent support from the business community too.
“Venues which are part of the Breastfeeding Welcome scheme are directly supporting the health and wellbeing of our next generation of young people, and share our commitment to making it as easy and comfortable as possible for mums and babies to feed while they are out and about.”
The Breastfeeding Welcome scheme encourages businesses to train staff to support breastfeeding mothers and display a badge to signal their participation. Families can find participating venues using an online map.
The right to breastfeed in public is protected by law under the Equality Act 2010. The scheme offers reassurance and helps mothers continue breastfeeding outside the home.
More than 450 businesses across North Wales are now members of the scheme, which was first developed in North Wales and is now being adopted in other Welsh regions.
This week marks World Breastfeeding Week, running from 1 to 7 August, which promotes the benefits of breastfeeding.
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