We're Breastfeeding Friendly is good for your business, community and organisation, as well as being good for Baby and Mother.
Breastfeeding: Good for Baby and Mother
- Breastfeeding is important for healthy growth and development of both babies and young children. It isrecommended by the World Health Organisation to breastfeed exclusively until 6 months and in combination with solids until 2 years and beyond.
- Breastfeeding is ideal for infant nutritional requirements and lowers the risk of protects against childhood infections and positively influences baby’s brain development.
- There is now emerging evidence that breastmilk has a very influential role in establishing a healthy gut microbiome, and it is thought this may be partially responsible for the reduced risk of numerous diseases in breast-fed babies and children.
- Breastfeeding is important for mothers’ health too as it reduces the risk of breast and possibly ovarian cancer. It also helps to reach and maintain a healthy post pregnancy weight and might reduce the long-term risk of obesity and diabetes. Breastfeeding is cost free and convenient for families.
- Research shows that for many of these outcomes for babies and mothers, the positive effect is greater the longer the breastfeeding is continued
Breastfeeding: Good for Workplace and Business
- Creating a supportive environment where mothers can balance their work and family responsibilities helps make the challenging transition back to work easier. This enhances employee wellbeing and morale. Importantly it also means mothers are more likely to breastfeed their babies for longer.
- Additionally your workplace can benefit from reduced employee absenteeism as breastfed babies tend to have fewer illnesses.
- Customers often support businesses that demonstrate their social responsibilities including support for breastfeeding, which may boost customer loyalty and attract new clientele.
- Welcoming and supporting breastfeeding families is easy and low-cost to implement.
- Another benefit, of joining the ‘We’re Breastfeeding Friendly Limerick’ campaign is that business, Community group, or organisation will gain recognition through promotion across multiple media channels. This increased visibility will enhance your reputation as a family friendly, supportive business and employer, strengthening your connection within the community.
Breastfeeding: Good for the Community
- By reducing the incidence of illnesses and chronic conditions in both babies and mothers, breastfeeding decreases the community’s overall healthcare burden.
- Breastfeeding is environmentally friendly and supports sustainability.
- Communities that support breastfeeding create inclusive family-friendly environments where mothers feel comfortable to breastfeed in public, fostering a positive breastfeeding culture.
A recent study demonstrated that breastfeeding rates in certain areas in the Midwest are lower than Irish national averages. Therefore it is vital that we support initiatives such as this to improve the health and well-being of our own com
