Littleborough Boxing Club is a knock-out with breast feeding mums

Kelly Trowers (Baby Sensory), Sheree Edwards and Annie-Mae Hughes, Councillor Janet Emsley, Julie Durrant (Littleborough Boxing Club), Trish and James Henstock

Littleborough Boxing Club has been left-hooked on supporting breast feeding mums after signing up to the Breast Feeding Welcome Scheme.

The club, the most recent venue in the borough to sign up to the scheme has pledged its support for breast feeding mums as part of its new community activities programme, which includes sessions for babies.

Julie Durrant, centre development officer at Littleborough Boxing Club, said: “We know how important breast feeding is for the health and development of our babies and we have lots of new activities available to support them like baby ballet, baby massage and baby sensory.

"This was the perfect time to sign up to the scheme and let mums know that we are breast feeding friendly. I hope it will encourage more and more mums to come along to our sessions, meet other mums and just have fun.”

Sheree Edwards, age 23, from Whitworth and her daughter Annie-Mae Hughes attend the baby sensory sessions at Littleborough Boxing Club. Sheree said: “My daughter was premature so breast feeding was really important to help her develop and grow in the early stages. Places like this make it easy and comfortable for mums to feed their babies when they’re out and about and I think it’s great.”

Breastfeeding mum Trish Henstock, aged 31, attends the session with son James, she said: “Originally I’m from America and there are no schemes like this out there to encourage breast feeding. It is so much better to know which places are welcoming for us mums and I hope more good work like this will continue so everyone can feel comfortable breast feeding anywhere.”

The scheme, supported by Rochdale Borough Council, is free for businesses that can provide a comfortable, public area for feeding mums and privacy for those who prefer it. They must also adopt a breast feeding policy, train their staff on how to implement the policy and display the scheme’s charter and sticker to tell visitors they welcome breast feeding.

There are now 80 breast feeding welcome venues in the borough, including council buildings, cafes, shops and hairdressers.

Councillor Janet Emsley, Rochdale Borough Council’s cabinet member for culture, health and wellbeing, said: “We are committed to giving our children their best start in life and breastfeeding really is the best way to ensure they are getting the vitamins and nutrients they need to protect them from illness throughout their lives.

"I am extremely pleased that another venue has signed up to the scheme which makes it easier for new mums to make the right choice for their babies without feeling uncomfortable or facing stigma.

"I urge all businesses to sign-up to the Breast Feeding Welcome Scheme and help us create a breastfeeding friendly borough so we can have generations of healthy and happy children.”