District launches initiative for "breastfeeding-friendly places"
Breastfeeding newborns is of great importance to health and promotes the bond between mother and child. The district of Waldeck-Frankenberg has therefore initiated the "Breastfeeding-friendly places" project. The aim is to identify public and private facilities where breastfeeding or feeding babies is welcome. Shops and businesses are invited to join this initiative.
Breast milk is the ideal food in the first few months of life: it is easy to digest, strengthens the immune system and protects against illnesses, infections and allergies. Places that make breastfeeding easier are therefore important for parents on the move. In cooperation with local shops, businesses and institutions, the district is therefore committed to making public spaces more inviting and family-friendly for breastfeeding parents.
This includes a small retreat for breastfeeding with changing facilities and a place to park the pram, as well as access to free drinking water. Furthermore, there should be no obligation to make a purchase or eat anything. "This initiative should help to make the district healthier. By creating conditions that make breastfeeding easier for parents on the go, we are helping to promote healthy eating 'right from the start'," emphasises District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst. "We are calling on shops, businesses and facilities to register as a breastfeeding-friendly location," appeals Karl-Friedrich Frese, First District Councillor, to local businesses.
"Breastfeeding-friendly locations" will then be visibly labelled with a special sticker and published on the Waldeck-Frankenberg district website at www.landkreis-waldeck-frankenberg.de/stillenwillkommen on a virtual overview map, so that people can already get an overview of what is on offer in Waldeck-Frankenberg online. The project will initially start in Korbach, with other medium-sized centres to follow gradually. A start has already been made on the breastfeeding-friendly centre at Möbelkreis Waldeck GmbH & Co. Ausstattungshaus KG in Meineringhausen, for example. "In principle, this option has been available at Möbelkreis for years. Hospitality has always been a top priority - even for our youngest guests," says Managing Director Christoph Klug.
The new "Style-friendly places" initiative is part of the district's work on health promotion and prevention. Among other things, the aim is to support a healthy upbringing and strengthen equal health opportunities in the long term. There is also a growing nationwide movement to establish breastfeeding-friendly places. The basis for this is the national breastfeeding strategy published by the federal government in 2021. Companies, businesses or facilities that would like to take part in the initiative are welcome to contact the district's health department by emailing julia.brand@lkwafkb.de or calling 05631 954-1540.
Caption: A cosy retreat for breastfeeding in the middle of the kitchen studio - Möbelkreis Waldeck GmbH & Co. Ausstattungshaus KG in Meineringhausen is one of the first companies in the district to offer a breastfeeding-friendly space. (from left to right) District Women's Representative Beate Friedrich, Bettina Götz (Early Help Department, Youth Service, District of Waldeck-Frankenberg), Möbelkreis Management Assistant Kerstin Schute and Julia Brand (Health Service, District of Waldeck-Frankenberg) are delighted about this.
Keywords:
Breastfeeding-friendly places Public Health Specialist Health Service