A Breast Feeding Welcome Here scheme is set to continue across the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council with the addition of a new facility and hope for more to be added.
Alison Clenaghan, Community Services Manager introduced the motion for reregistration of the scheme on Monday evening before a meeting of the Community and Wellbeing Committee.
Ms Clenaghan said ABC Council has been a longstanding supporter of the scheme and has many buildings accessible for the purpose of breastfeeding.
Members heard that a review had been undertaken by inspectors in recent months of existing buildings and it was identified that Banbridge Old Town Hall could be added to the list.
Existing facilities also availed of new stickers and information to help promote the accessibility.
Members were also assured that the scheme would be kept under continuous review.
Proposing the motion, Cllr Brona Haughey expressed her belief that it is a “really important scheme” especially given that Northern Ireland has one of the “lowest breast feeding rates in Europe”.
However, she raised a concern that Keady Recreation Centre had not been added to the list but did note that she was aware this could be due to the ownership of the “shared site”.
The Cllr asked Ms Clenaghan whether anything could be done to have the premises added to the list of facilities.
In response, Ms Clenaghan advised the Cllr she would link in with Health Improvement Officers and assess the site again to encourage registration.
It was hoped that further publicity for the scheme may encourage other facilities to contact council with the hopes of joining.
The motion was seconded by Cllr Sarah Duffy.
