Council Motion Backed by Cllr Susan McGill and Cllr Rosemary Fraser
The ongoing campaign to create a Breastfeeding Friendly Stirling reached a new milestone, after an SNP motion encouraging Stirling Council premises, staff and local businesses to support mothers and babies was passed unanimously. Stirling Councillors Susan McGill and Rosemary Fraser spoke in favour of their motion at June’s Council meeting – with their proposals supported across all parties.
The motion will see the Council public buildings work towards dedicating and maintaining a comfortable area where babies can be breastfed, alongside development of staff awareness and knowledge. Councillors McGill and Fraser are also keen for businesses to join in too, and help improve Stirling as a safe and welcoming place to breastfeed.
The Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme is a Scottish Government supported national scheme, which aims to:
- Provide mothers with positive experiences of breastfeeding when out and about, enabling mothers to feel confident and supported.
- Raise awareness of the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Equality Act 2010.
- Ensure that organisations are aware of their responsibilities under this legislation.
Currently, in the Stirling Council area, there are 54 businesses who have gained this award.
Stirling North Councillor Susan McGill said:
‘I’m delighted Stirling Council backed the campaign to support mothers and babies all over Stirling. Breastfeeding is a fantastic way to support both the health of mother and baby, and the more we can do to support and encourage the practice across Stirling, the better. The Scottish Government Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland has done a power of work to improve awareness and education around the subject, and signpost people to supportive environments. The Council backing this campaign is an important step to building the inclusive Stirling we all want to see.’
Lesley Hetherington, Community Dietitian and Infant Feeding Coordinator at NHS Forth Valley said:
‘We are delighted to hear that Stirling council have committed to become Breastfeeding Friendly Welcome and we look forward to working in partnership. Through supporting the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme this will help to provide mothers with positive experiences of breastfeeding particularly when they are out and about. This type of support is really important for mothers because many stop breastfeeding before they want to because they feel that there is a lack of support and understanding for them when they need, and want, to feed and comfort their baby when away from their home.’
Local Stirling businesses interested in finding out more can email fv.breastfeedingfriendlyscotlandnhsfv@nhs.scot