Breastfeeding is important to the health of both mother and baby. While many new mums start breastfeeding, some stop within a few weeks or months. This is often because they feel there’s a lack of support, particularly when they want to feed their baby outside their home. 

Congratulations to both Tesco Silverburn, which is the first supermarket in Glasgow, and Glasgow Caledonian University, the first University in Scotland, to sign up to the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Scheme (BFS). 

The scheme runs across Scotland to help provide breastfeeding families with positive experiences of breastfeeding when out and about in public areas. Businesses and organisations can actively support families to feed on their premises by signing up to the BFS Scheme and displaying their BFS sticker. This gives a visual reassurance that breastfeeding families will be welcomed, encouraging mums to feel relaxed and confident about breastfeeding on their premises.

Jacalyn McIIwham, from our Health and Social Care Partnership’s (HSCP) South Health Improvement Team, said: “Our staff work with mothers, their families, local communities and organisations to promote the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of a healthy diet throughout early childhood. We’re delighted that Tesco Silverburn has become the first supermarket to sign up in Glasgow and ask any other organisations in Glasgow to get in touch and we will help them register.

“We also ensure that organisations are aware of their rights and responsibilities in line with Scottish and UK legislation – Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Equality Act 2010. The Breastfeeding Act makes it an offence to deliberately stop or attempt to stop a person from feeding a child in a public place.”

Michelle McMurray, Community Champion at Tesco Silverburn, said: “Tesco Silverburn is delighted to be the first supermarket in Glasgow to sign up to the BFS Scheme. We feel it’s important for breastfeeding parents to feel welcome and comfortable while feeding their babies and we fully support this in our store and cafe.”

Annette Dougan, from our North West Health Improvement Team, said: “Glasgow Caledonian University received the BFS accreditation by providing and promoting a supportive environment for students, staff and visitors to feed their babies.

“The University now provides baby changing and feeding rooms with a fridge for storing expressed breast milk in the George Moore Building where staff, students and visitors to campus can go to feed their babies, if they choose.”

To date our HSCP staff have delivered Breastfeeding Friendly information sessions to over 130 organisations in Glasgow City reaching over 5,700 staff.

For more information about the scheme in Glasgow contact:

jacalyn.mcIlwham@ggc.scot.nhs.uk     South Glasgow 
annette.dougan@ggc.scot.nhs.uk         North West Glasgow
fiona.hughes@ggc.scot.nhs.uk             North East Glasgow 

There’s also further information about the national scheme and how to sign up your business.