Leisure centres, cafes, libraries and community hubs in the Somer Valley have pledged to support parents to breastfeed when they are out and about with their babies.
The venues have signed up to the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme to show that breastfeeding is welcome in all their areas and included in written customer care policies.
The scheme also requires member venues to uphold the right to breastfeed by ensuring that if someone complains they are moved, not the breastfeeding parent; to allow space for pushchairs or prams; offer a clean baby feeding area and have somewhere a baby’s nappy can be changed.
Councillor Nick Toogood, Radstock Town Council Mayor, said: “The Radstock Community Hub and Library has been open over three years to serve the local community and provides a warm, welcoming and inclusive space for all to use. We have lots of parents visit and many mums use the space already. It is nice to join this programme and make the venue officially Breastfeeding Welcome.”
Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, and Communities, said: “We are delighted to have launched a Breastfeeding Welcome scheme in the Somer Valley. Although the Equality Act 2010 states that it is sex discrimination to treat a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding, some don’t always feel confident breastfeeding when out and about. This scheme encourages venues to display a sticker to make it clear they are breastfeeding friendly and have introduced measures to support parents who visit.
| Location name | Full address |
| Bar & Library at The HUB - Paulton | 1-2 Hill Court, Paulton, Bristol, BS39 7QG |
| Costa Coffee | Unit 1&2, The Hollies, High Street, Midsomer Norton |
| Dragonfly Leisure and Softplay | Knobsbury Lane, Writhlington, Radstock, BA3 3NQ |
| The Green Shop | 10 South Road, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2EZ |
| The Hive | The Hive Community Centre, Bath Road, Peasedown St John, BA2 8DH |
| Hope House Surgery | Hope House Centre, 10 Waterloo Road, Radstock, BA3 3EP |
| The Meeting Place | 16a Bath Road, Peasedown St John, Bath, BA2 8DH |
| Midsomer Norton Library and Information Service | The Hollies, High Street, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, BA3 2DP |
| Radstock Community Hub and Library | Radstock House, The Street, Radstock, BA3 3PR |
Full details of the scheme can be found on the council website and the list of venues that have signed up is on the Live Well pages.
Somer Valley organisations that would like information about the scheme can email: [email protected]
There is information about breastfeeding help and support on the NHS website.