Still time to apply for a breastfeeding grant

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Health and wellbeing
Community
Business
Mum with happy baby in a coffee shop

A total 35 Kent businesses and organisations including voluntary, community and social enterprise groups, have recently successfully applied for a £1,000 grant from Kent County Council (KCC) to make their premises more breastfeeding friendly for customers.

(Please note that as of 31st January 2024, applications for this grant are now closed)

Now more cafes, restaurants, shops, hairdressers and health and beauty salons are being encouraged to bid for funding to make it easier for families to breastfeed away from home as the application deadline has been extended to the end of the month.

For details about the grants, including how to apply by Wednesday 31st January 2024, visit the KCC website.

Councillor Dan Watkins

“I hope our extended grant offer will help even more shops, centres and services across the county make life easier for breastfeeding families when they visit”

Dan Watkins KCC Cabinet Member for Public Health and Adult Social Care

KCC Cabinet Member for Public Health and Adult Social Care, Dan Watkins, said: “Women have a legal right to breastfeed in public and as a parent myself I know many Kent venues already provide safe and comfortable places for mums to feed their baby while out and about.

“I hope our extended grant offer will help even more shops, centres and services across the county make life easier for breastfeeding families when they visit.”

Headshot of Dr Anjan Ghosh

“Breastfeeding has valuable health benefits for both mother and baby”

Dr Anjan Ghosh KCC Director of Public Health

Kent County Council’s Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, said: “Breastfeeding has valuable health benefits for both mother and baby, especially in the first few months; and, finding safe, comfortable places to feed an infant away from the comfort and convenience of home really helps.

“If you run a business, or provide a service, that caters to young families, please don’t delay – apply for a breastfeeding grant today.”

Terry, of HatHats Coffee in Whitstable, said becoming a breastfeeding-friendly business “has been really important” for his seaside coffee shop.

HatHat coffee shop manager in front of coffee machine

Terry in his popular coffee shop HatHats

Terry said: “Mums and breastfeeding parents know we will give them a warm welcome which makes them feel less nervous. It shows we care and helps our business by encouraging mums to visit us again.”

Training staff to give a warm welcome to breastfeeding parents, and offering a family-friendly area where they can feed an infant while keeping older children occupied with books, toys or drawing, are just two things that can make breastfeeding easier.

Other adaptions businesses and organisations can make include:

  • ensuring easy access for pushchairs and buggies
  • introducing hands-free technology, such as voice-activated apps, for ordering services such as food or drinks
  • putting up a #BesideYou sticker or poster to show your customers you support breastfeeding mums. Visit We Are Beside You for more details, or email the team directly at kentchft.infantfeedingteam@nhs.net, and
  • you could also join #BesideYou social media accounts including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to let families know they are welcome to breastfeed at your venue.