Belfast City Airport has become the latest organisation to join Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme – a programme that aims to increase the number of premises which actively show support to breastfeeding mums.
This new membership represents a huge support network to breastfeeding mums visiting the airport and becomes part of over 900 businesses, local government facilities and community organisations who have joined Breastfeeding Welcome Here.
In joining the scheme, Belfast City Airport has pledged that:
- breastfeeding is welcome across all areas of its premises open to the general public;
- a mum who is breastfeeding will not be asked to move or stop breastfeeding;
- all staff within the airport will be made aware of the scheme and are supportive of the needs of breastfeeding mums;
- they will display the Breastfeeding Welcome Here window stickers and certificates throughout public areas of the airport.
Dr Hannah McCourt, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager with PHA, said: “It’s great to see Belfast City Airport join the Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme.
“The Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme is an initiative that aims to provide supportive environments for mothers to breastfeed when they’re out and about in public places, particularly those who maybe feel apprehensive.
“The scheme is there to reassure women who want to breastfeed that there are businesses and organisations out there who have taken proactive steps to welcome breastfeeding mothers and show solidarity with them.
“This can often relieve pressure for a mum by reassuring her that there are friendly environments where breastfeeding is normal and the needs of a breastfeeding mum will be met.
“Breastfeeding offers babies the best start in life and can be a very rewarding experience. As well as having all the nutrients a baby needs to grow and develop, human milk has very special ingredients such as antibodies, hormones and stem cells to help protect them now and in the future.
“Initiatives like Breastfeeding Welcome Here help to normalise breastfeeding and create the right conditions for mothers to breastfeed in comfort, wherever they are.”
Between 2010-2022 the initial rates of breastfeeding in Northern Ireland rose from 45% to 51%, however there is then a big drop off, with only 22% of babies receiving breastmilk at six months old.
Feedback indicates that this is often because there is lack of support, particularly when feeding outside of the home, with nine-out-of-ten mothers stopping before they intended.
Paula Bittles, People and Purpose Executive at Belfast City Airport, added: “At Belfast City Airport, creating an environment where our passengers feel comfortable is at the heart of everything we do.
“By joining the PHA’s ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ campaign, we have taken another meaningful step in delivering an exceptional passenger journey, providing spaces where mums can feel confident when breastfeeding.
“We are proud to be a part of a scheme that helps normalise breastfeeding across Northern Ireland and hope that it goes a long way in creating the right conditions for mums to feel supported on their travels.”
Local mum, Janelle Clegg is pleased to see Belfast City Airport join the Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme.
She said: “I know I can breastfeed anywhere but it’s so good to know when a business has gone the extra mile to support breastfeeding mums.
“It’s so reassuring to know that when we come to Belfast City Airport for a flight we’ll be able to breastfeed comfortably.
“No matter where I go I’m always looking for the Breastfeeding Welcome Here stickers and I know lots of other mums will be glad to see them at the airport.”
Dr McCourt concluded: “Thankfully it’s rare for a mum to experience any open confrontation or critical comments or behaviour about them breastfeeding in public that causes them to feel uneasy.
“Breastfeeding Welcome Here venues have shown a commitment to provide that extra bit of support and make it clear to everyone that they actively welcome breastfeeding.
“We would encourage businesses to consider signing up to the scheme because it will provide that extra support for mums and ultimately help improve breastfeeding rates in Northern Ireland.”
