The Breastfeeding Welcome Partnership aims to make it easier for parents to recognize places which support breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is a really important start for a baby’s health and has great benefits for mum too. All too often if the mother feels unsupported and intimidated by breastfeeding in public she will stop and use a bottle instead.

Local businesses can help by making it clear they support breastfeeding by displaying the Breastfeeding Welcome sticker in their window. Our experience shows that this encourages new mums to feel more confident about breastfeeding and encourage them to breastfeed for longer. It is a true benefit for the family.

Why should you commit to Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme?

“It’s good for mums, babies and your business!”

Every business knows how important local customers and word of mouth is. Mothers with small babies tend to be part of a range of informal networks.
Breastfeeding mums who feel that they have been made to feel welcome will come back to you business and will pass the word onto others. Your customers will see your business as one that is interested in their health and welfare and not just their cash.

All business that are committed to the scheme will be given recognition through leaflets which are given to all new mums leaving Dorset County hospital, and available in surgeries, information centre’s, libraries and the internet. All midwives and health visitors and the NCT will promote the leaflet.

Once you have been assessed you will be issued with a certificate and window sticker.

There is regular feedback from the mums about the premises involved.

Ten Good Reason to Breastfeed:

• Breast milk provides every thing a baby needs for the first six months of life.
• Breastfed babies have less tummy, ear and chest infections. Just some health benefits.
• Mothers have less risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
• Breast milk is always available ready and waiting.
• Its free! Formula feeding costs about £450 a year.
• It save the NHS £50 million alone in treating gastro enteritis.
• Breastfed premature babies will have Higher IQ’s.
• Breastfeeding protects the child against obesity.
• Breastfeeding helps develops strong emotional bonds for secure attachment.
• Breastfeeding is very environmentally friendly with no packaging or transport costs!

Anybody can join!

Membership Criteria Essential:

• To make breastfeeding acceptable and welcome in your premises.
• To offer a clean area for feeding the baby.
• To ensure all staff are aware of the scheme and its importance.
• To display the sticker in a shop window for parents to see.

Membership Criteria Desirable:

• To be able to provide a glass of water for the mum.
• To have somewhere a baby’s nappy can be changed.
• Parking for a pushchair/pram.

Want to Join?

Contact us and we will visit! 
                  Elizabeth Carter (BF Coordinator) 01305 255910
                  Maternity Unit,
                  Dorset County Hospital
                  Dorchester DT1 2JY

Other contacts: 
Linda Walters (Lead Midwife) 01305 254229
Emma Smith  (BF Welcome Scheme coordinator) 07745 744656

Weymouth
Debenhams, 10 New Bond St Weymouth, DT4 8LY 0844 561 6161
Papoose, 49 St. Mary St Weymouth, DT4 8PU 01305 766111
Cafelicious 9-10 St. Thomas Street, Weymouth DT4 8EW 01305 766550
The Olive Grove, 21 St Alban Street, Weymouth DT4 8BZ
Weymouth Football Club, Wessex Stadium, Radipole La, Weymouth 01305 785558
Mothercare, 100F St. Mary St, Weymouth 01305 789266
The Corner House Cafe 50 St Marys St, Weymouth DT4 8PU 01305 770472
Costa Coffee, 100 St. Mary St, Weymouth DT4 8NY 01305 787014
The Mulberry, Commercial Road, Weymouth DT4 8NG 01305 786367

Blandford
Ragtags, 29 West Street, Blandford, DT11 7AW 01258 455707
Children’s Centre, Black Lane, Blandford DT11 8SW 01258 480147
Forum Café, The Plocks, Blandford Forum DT11 7AA 01258 459104

Bridport
Hive Beach Café, Beach Road, Burton Bradstock, Bridport DT6 4RF 01308 897070
Bridport Arts Centre, South Street, Briport DT6 3NR 01308 427183

Dorchester
Costa Coffee, 8 Cornhill, Dorchester DT1 1BA 01305 257296
Hey Baby, 24 Middlemarsh St, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3FD 01305 259929
Caffe Espresso, 3 Market Cross, Sturminster Newton 07968 911669

Shaftsbury
Green Rock Café, 6 Swans Yard, High St. Shaftesbury SP7 8JQ 01747 858550
Children’s Centre, Wincombe Lane, Shaftesbury SP7 8PZ 01747 850288

Portland
Whitestones Café Gallery, 13 Easton Street, Easton, Portland DT5 1BS

Purbecks
National Trust Café, Corfe Castle Entrance, Corfe Castle, Purbecks 01929 481322

Poole
Farmer Palmers, Organford, Poole BH16 6EU 01202 622022