York’s health and childcare leads are reminding parents and carers that there is a wealth of advice and support available in York around infant feeding.
The reminder coincides with World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August), which this year has the theme ‘breastfeeding support for all’.
The international campaign, organised by the World Health Organisation, will celebrate breastfeeding mums in all their diversity, throughout their breastfeeding journeys, while showcasing the ways families, societies, communities and health workers can have the back of every breastfeeding mum.
City of York council is committed to improving its support for families around infant feeding through ensuring that all families receive the opportunity to make a truly informed choice about how to feed their baby.
The new Raise York website contains a host of information about infant feeding, including details of local support groups.
Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:
"We want to make sure families can access the information they need about feeding their child or toddler, when and where they need it.
"That way families can make informed decisions to support their child's development.”
Lucy Steels Walshaw, the council’s Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, said:
“What happens in the first year of a child’s life shapes their whole future, so it’s really important that parents and carers understand their options and get the support they need, whatever choice they choose to make.”
The council is working with partners to make York a feeding-friendly city and increase the number of places that families feel comfortable to feed their babies when out and about.
Find more information on World Breastfeeding Week.