TASK Family Support and Learning Centre in the Gorbals area has become the first early years establishment to fully sign up to the Breastfeeding Friendly Early Years Scheme in Glasgow City. The nursery is part of a pilot for the scheme, operating in Glasgow South and North East localities.
 
Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Health Improvement staff supported the nursery management and staff to implement the requirements of the scheme.

The Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Scheme (BFS) runs across Scotland to help provide mothers with positive experiences of breastfeeding when out and about in public areas. Businesses and organisations can actively support mothers 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.
  
The nursery appointed Stephanie Bulik, Senior Child Development Officer as their Breastfeeding Champion. Stephanie ensured that all staff completed the required training, and the nursery embedded the Early Years Breastfeeding Policy into their staff handbook and parent handbook. This will help to positively influence infant feeding culture from an early age and promote a supportive breastfeeding friendly environment for both parents and staff.

Lindsay Cully from the Early Years Team in the South presented Stephanie with her certificate.

Lindsay said: “We’re delighted that with our help TASK Childcare has  become Glasgow’s first early years establishment  to obtain accreditation from Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland.  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.”

Stephanie said: “Everyone really took the training on board and staff are excited to help our new mums continue to breastfeed their babies by providing a supportive environment in the nursery.”

Angie Muir, Service Manager at TASK said: “I’m so proud of Stephanie and the way she has invested her time and enthusiasm into rolling out this programme to our whole staff team.”

To find out more and become a member of the BFS Early Years Scheme or The Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Scheme email HSCP staff annette.dougan@ggc.scot.nhs.uk, jacalyn.mcilwham@ggc.scot.nhs.uk or fiona.hughes@ggc.scot.nhs.uk