Almost 1,500 NI venues become breastfeeding welcome spaces

Could a simple sign in shop windows and public spaces help increase breastfeeding rates?

Northern Ireland has the lowest breastfeeding rate in the UK, according to the Public Health Agency (PHA).

There are now almost 1,500 venues and organisations across Northern Ireland’s 11 council areas signed up to the Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme.

While some mothers are unable to breastfeed – for medical reasons, for example – others can face barriers including stigma and a lack of support.

“To me, it is my right. My baby needs fed and if everybody around us is eating why can my baby not feed?,” breastfeeding mother-of-three Katy Dillon told BBC News NI.

Fewer mums in Derry and Strabane choose to breastfeed compared to the rest of Northern Ireland, the PHA said.

Aimee McIlwaine said that she ended up feeding her baby in public toilets due to stigma and a lack of support.

“I didn’t know anyone else who breastfed and I had latch issues – I found going out and about difficult,” said the mum-of-two who welcomes the scheme.