First college to receive Breastfeeding Friendly accreditation

by Julie Wales, Curriculum Quality Leader: Health and Wellbeing

Breastfeeding can be a daunting thought for any new mum, especially when away from the comforts of your own home. Despite protection from the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Equality Act 2010, research suggests that over 50% don’t feel comfortable enough to do so resulting in Scotland having one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe.

We are proud to announce that Glasgow Clyde College has become Scotland’s first Further Education institution to obtain accreditation from Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland, allowing mothers to breastfeed on campus with confidence and ease.

Supported by the Scottish Government, the scheme aims to provide mums with positive experiences of breastfeeding when in public and allows organisations to display their membership of the scheme in the hopes of encouraging mums to feel comfortable breastfeeding on their premises.

While breastfeeding is recognised as being important to the health of both mother and baby, many new mums stop within a few weeks or months as a result of societal pressures and judgement.

Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) have been working in conjunction with Glasgow Clyde College staff and students with the aim of promoting and actively contributing towards a positive breastfeeding culture and increasing breastfeeding rates within communities across Glasgow.

All three of the college’s campuses - Langside, Cardonald and Anniesland - will display the accreditation throughout their buildings and public spaces. Not only that, but there will also be support teams at each campus and each will have a dedicated breastfeeding space with fridges for the storage of breast milk.

Additionally, to mark Scottish Breastfeeding Week last week, the college hosted an informative Instagram Live session which talked viewers through the benefits of breastfeeding and what this new accreditation means for mums on campus.

 

We’re  exceptionally proud to hold this accreditation, and hope that other institutes follow suit in order to make Scotland as breastfeeding friendly as possible, and work towards improving breastfeeding rates.