Gosport Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme

Gosport's Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme aims to support mums to breastfeed when out and about.

Many local venues including cafes, libraries, visitor attractions, sports clubs and public offices have signed up to say they're breastfeeding friendly so look out for the Breastfeeding Welcome sticker when you're out and about.

We're always keen to welcome more members so if your organization is interested in joining the scheme, please read on.

Why join the scheme?

Joining the scheme helps mums, babies and families. It also helps the environment and is good for business too. Breastfeeding mums who feel welcome are more likely to return and more likely to recommend the venue to their friends. Participating businesses will also be listed on this website.

Displaying the sticker will show that you have agreed that:

• Breastfeeding is welcome in any public area of its venue.
• A mother who is breastfeeding will not be asked to move or to stop breastfeeding
• The Gosport Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme window sticker will be displayed at all times.
• Their staff are aware of the scheme and how to be supportive to the needs of breastfeeding mothers.
• Breastfeeding Welcome is included in customer care procedures and polices where appropriate, and guidance is available for staff on how to effectively respond to a potential complaint about breastfeeding from another customer.
• A private area may be made available if needed and if space allows

Why is the scheme needed?

Mums can feel nervous about breastfeeding in public places. This can result in them staying at home which can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation or it could put them off breastfeeding altogether.

We know that breastfeeding has many benefits so by joining the scheme, you'll be helping to support good health and wellbeing in Gosport.

How can venues get involved in the scheme?

If your business or organisation is interested in joining, please read through the Breastfeeding Information Pack first and then use this link to sign up.

Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme Agreement

Once we've received your application we'll get in touch and provide you with a sticker to display in your venue.

Current members of the scheme

Alver Valley Garden Centre, Barrington Close, Howe Road, Gosport

Alverstoke CE Junior School, The Avenue, Gosport, PO12 2JS

Bayside Cabin, Stokes Bay Road, Stokes Bay, Gosport

Bookworm Cafe, Gosport Discovery Centre, High Street, Gosport

Bridgemary Library, 74 Brewers Lane, Gosport

Bridgemary Medical Centre, 2 Gregson Avenue, Gosport

Broadway Bakery, Palmyra Road, Elson

C2U, 41 High Street, Gosport, PO12 1DF

Craft Coffee, 130 High Street

Citizens Advice Gosport, Martin Snape House, 96 Pavilion Way, Gosport

Costa Rowner, Alver Village Square, Grange Road, Rowner

Elson Junior School, Exmouth Road, Gosport, PO12 4EX

Elson Library, 136 Chantry Road, Elson

Forton Medical Centre, Whites Place, Forton Road, Gosport

Gosport Borough Council, Town Hall, High Street, Gosport

Gosport Borough Cricket Club, Privett Park, Privett Road, Gosport

Gosport Community Hub, Brune Park School, Military Road, Gosport, PO12 3BF

Gosport Discovery Centre, High Street, Gosport

Gosport Leisure Centre, Forest Way, Holbrook

Gosport Medical Centre, Bury Road, Gosport

Gosport Methodist Church, Stoke Road, Gosport

Gosport Museum and Art Gallery, Walpole Road, Gosport, PO12 1NS

Gosport Voluntary Action, Martin Snape House, 96 Pavilion Way, Gosport

Imagination Refinery, 51 - 52 High Street, Gosport, PO12 1DF

Joy's of Alverstoke, 47 Village Road, Alverstoke

Lee-on-the-Solent Library, High Street, Lee-on-the-Solent

LJ's Hair Studio, 39 Stoke Road, Gosport

Monkey Bizness Gosport, Unit 1, Frater Gate Business Park, Aerodrome Road

Newtown C of E Primary School, Queen's Road, Gosport, PO12 1JD

The Parish Centre, Green Road, Alverstoke, Gosport, PO12 2ET

Rowner Community Trust, 17 Falcon Meadows Way, Gosport, PO13 8AA

Rowner Family Centre, Nimrod Drive, Rowner

Rowner Surgery, Rowner Health Centre, 143 Rowner Lane

St Faiths Church (Hub), Tribe Road, Gosport, PO12 3NS

St Francis Church, Clayhall Road, Gosport, PO12 2AX

Stoke Road Medical Centre, 66-68 Stoke Road, Gosport

Subway, Unit 4 Alver Village Square, Grange Road, Rowner

Utilita, 67 High Street, Gosport, PO12 1DR

Waterside Medical Centre, Mumby Road, Gosport

What are the benefits of breastfeeding?

Breast milk is available whenever it's needed, it meets all baby's nutritional needs, protects against a range of infections and diseases and breastfeeding is good for mums too.

According to the latest research, babies who are breastfed have a lower risk of:

• Being obese and developing diabetes when they are older
• Developing eczema
• Getting ear, chest and tummy infections resulting in hospital visits
• Being fussy about new foods
• Being constipated

There are advantages for mums who breastfeed too:

• Lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer
• Breastfeeding uses up about 500 extra calories a day so it may be easier to lose pregnancy weight
• It saves money - formula feeding can cost approximately £40 per a month
• It is a lot less hassle - there is no need to clean and sterilise bottles, boil kettles and wait for the milk to cool every few hours during the day and night

Click here for more information about more health benefits of breastfeeding.

What does the law say about breastfeeding in public places?

Women have the right to breastfeed in any public place. The Equality Act 2010 has specifically clarified that it is unlawful for a business to discriminate against a woman because she is breastfeeding. This covers any business or organisation that offers a public service.

Help and Support with Breastfeeding

The Breastfeeding Network; where you can find local peer support groups
National Breastfeeding Helpline - 0300 100 0212

NHS: Breastfeeding - the first few days

National Childbirth Trust
Helpline - 0300 330 0700

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
Helpline - 0300 330 5453

La Leche League GB
Helpline - 0845 120 2918

Healthier Together

Contact us

For details about how to join the scheme, or to make any queries or comments, please contact  email : gbfwelcome@gosport.gov.uk

The scheme has been developed by a local partnership which includes Gosport Borough Council, Southern Health, NHS Trust Foundation, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and the Breastfeeding Network South and East Hampshire.