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Over the past month nearly 50 childcare centres and businesses from Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga and Whakatane have achieved Breastfeeding Friendly accreditation from Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service. 

These are supportive environments where mothers can feel comfortable breastfeeding their babies. Places include cafes, restaurants, early childhood centres, retailers and libraries. “We are really impressed with the amount of support and enthusiasm from businesses and their staff across the region,” says Health Improvement Advisor, Ronda Cleland Weiss.

A list of Breastfeeding Friendly Cafes and Restaurants can be viewed at www.toiteorapublichealth.govt.nz/breastfeeding_friendly_cafes, a list of Breastfeeding Friendly Early Childcare Centres can be viewed at www.toiteorapublichealth.govt.nz/breastfeeding_friendly_eces and a list of Breastfeeding Friendly Businesses and Retailers can be viewed at www.toiteorapublichealth.govt.nz/breastfeeding_friendly_businesses.

The Breastfeeding Friendly initiative is run across the Bay of Plenty and Lakes regions. A Health Improvement Advisor assists business owners and managers in becoming Breastfeeding Friendly. People can identify a Breastfeeding Friendly environment by signs on the premises.

Robert Harris Coffee Roasters in Tauranga is one of the cafes that recently received Breastfeeding Friendly accreditation. “It’s important to provide somewhere for mothers so they have a comfortable space to breastfeed,” says owner, Susanne Irwin. One of the initiatives Robert Harris Coffee Roasters undertook towards achieving accreditation was to train staff to support breastfeeding customers. This is as simple as offering a glass of water to breastfeeding mums or assisting them with food trays. The café also provides baby changing facilities.

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until babies are around six months old, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods until they are one year of age or beyond. It’s important that breastfeeding mothers have support from their partners, family/whānau, health practitioners, and once breastfeeding has been established, their employers and the community. 

To become Breastfeeding Friendly, its free, simple and easy; call Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service on 0800 221 555. For more information on the Breastfeeding Friendly project, visit www.toiteorapublichealth.govt.nz/breastfeeding_friendly