Breastfeeding mums visiting Intu Braehead will receive more support than ever as the centre signed up this month to a major health award.
The centre was given a Breastfeeding Welcome award by Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership as over 60 staff learned about the benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and babies.
The training was led by the partnership’s health improvement team and Fiona Mackay, head of planning and health improvement for the partnership, said: “Breastfeeding is a public health priority so the Breastfeeding Welcome Award is a positive way for businesses to show support to breastfeeding mothers.
“Children who are breastfed experience fewer stomach upsets and chest, ear or urine infections. Also, mothers who breastfeed are at a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers or osteoporosis.”
“It’s great that a large business like Intu Braehead has recognised the value of signing up and completing the training and we hope to increase this number further.”
Christine Macdonald, Marketing manager for intu Braehead, said: “We pride ourselves in being a very family-friendly place for people to visit, either for shopping or leisure.
“Our free baby changing and breastfeeding facilities at intu Braehead are rooms in the upper mall with modern décor, subdued lighting to create a relaxed atmosphere and televisions showing cartoons to keep older children amused. The breastfeeding area is a lounge-style area that can be curtained off to give more comfort and privacy.
“It was good for our staff to get the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding, so we are even better able to cater for young mums and make life as easy as possible for them when they are visiting us with their babies.”
Breastfeeding Welcome training is free to local businesses and, once trained, businesses can advertise their status.
More information about the Breastfeeding Welcome Award is available from Renfrewshire Health