Southend Supports Breastfeeding: A Local Initiative to Make Southend a Breastfeeding-Friendly City
Breastfeeding is a natural and essential part of parenting, but many mothers face challenges when it comes to feeding in public spaces. To help address this, Southend Supports Breastfeeding has been launched by A Better Start Southend, in partnership with SAVS and Southend YMCA, with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. The initiative is part of the A Better Start programme, which brings together organisations, communities, and parents to provide breastfeeding support in Southend and make the city one of the best places in the country to raise a child.
Why Breastfeeding Support Matters
One of the ongoing issues in the UK is its low breastfeeding rates, which are among the lowest in the world. Factors like societal stigma, public discomfort, and concerns about breastfeeding in public contribute to why many mothers choose to stop breastfeeding earlier than they would like. These challenges can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and even discourage mothers from breastfeeding altogether.
Aimee Coombes, Infant Feeding Specialist at A Better Start Southend, highlights why this needs to change:
“Breastfeeding has so many benefits for both mother and baby. It helps protect against common childhood illnesses, supports bonding, and even reduces the risk of sudden infant death”
Evidence also shows that the more breastfeeding support a mother receives, the more likely she is to continue feeding her baby in the most natural way for longer.
The Goal of Southend Supports Breastfeeding
The Southend Supports Breastfeeding initiative has a clear mission: to normalise, encourage, and welcome breastfeeding throughout Southend.
The project aims to create an inclusive and supportive environment where families feel confident and comfortable feeding their babies whenever and wherever needed.
Local businesses are at the heart of this effort. Cafes, restaurants, leisure centres, retailers, libraries, and other public spaces across the city are being encouraged to join the scheme by becoming recognised breastfeeding-friendly spaces. By doing so, these businesses are committing to creating welcoming environments where breastfeeding mothers feel supported by the community.
Roger Savage, Deputy CEO of SAVS, emphasises the importance of this community effort.
“The interactive map we’re creating will make it easy for families to find breastfeeding-friendly businesses and venues. We’ve already received positive feedback from businesses excited to join, and we’re looking forward to expanding this network of support.”
How the Scheme Works
Businesses that register with Southend Supports Breastfeeding will be added to an interactive map, allowing parents to easily find spaces that are friendly and welcoming to breastfeeding. The aim is to eliminate the stress of searching for a comfortable place to feed, allowing mothers to focus on caring for their babies.
Over the coming months, the team will be reaching out to businesses across the city to sign them up. This is an opportunity for businesses to show their support for local families and be part of a positive cultural change in Southend.
Get Involved!
If you’re a business owner and want to support breastfeeding families in Southend, you can register your business as a breastfeeding-friendly space by visiting www.southendsupportsbreastfeeding/signup or emailing: hello@southendsupportsbreastfeeding.org.uk for more information.
By working together, we can build a community where breastfeeding is not only accepted but celebrated, helping to make Southend a healthier, happier place for families.
This initiative probiding breastfeeding support in Southend is so important. We look forward to seeing as menu venues as possible offering a stress free and comfortable place for Mums to breastfeed their babies.
Header image provided by ©Film Free Photography. www.filmfreephotography.co.uk