Hospital trust backs campaign to support breastfeeding for working women

Health professionals in York have been out and about this week raising awareness of this year’s campaign for World Breastfeeding Week - ‘Breastfeeding and Work, let’s make it work!’

World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August) promotes breastfeeding across the globe and this year focuses on providing support for women who are returning to work, but who also want to continue breastfeeding their baby.

Lynn Fitzharris, Breastfeeding Lead for York said: “Breastfeeding is one of the important factors worldwide of child health, development, nutrition and survival. This year’s campaign for World Breastfeeding Week focuses on ways to balance work and family life by making it easier for women who want to carry on breastfeeding once they have returned to work.

“As an employer, we support our staff by providing women with suitable rest facilities, a healthy and safe environment and suitable access to a private room. This enables them to be able to express and store their milk during a shift at work, so they can maintain their supply and are able to continue breastfeeding.”

Lynn visited York Hospital to offer advice and support about breastfeeding to visitors and staff.  Healthcare Assistant Dominique Cole spoke to Lynn about her experiences of coming back to work after having her two children.

Dominique said: “I never even considered trying to breastfeed when I returned to work. Knowing you are supported in the workplace would make a big difference to women.”

York Teaching Hospital NHS Trust has been awarded a certificate of commitment by UNICEF in recognition of its ongoing commitment to improving practice. 

Photo (above): Lynn Fitzharris Breastfeeding Lead for York (Left) with Healthcare Assistant Dominique Cole at York Hospital.

07 August 2015