Access Community Action Agency’s WIC program is partnering with Day Kimball Hospital’s WIC program to assist local businesses to take the “Family Friendly Establishment” Pledge to become a Breastfeeding Friendly Business and encourage local business and organizations to support both their customers and employees to continue to breastfeed their children. Breastfeeding is one of the most important starts to healthy infant and child development. A measure of wellness of a community is reflected in the number of mothers who start and continue breastfeeding.
“In efforts to increase breastfeeding duration, we wanted to gather support and bring it full circle to make a Mom not only feel supported at home but wherever she went,” says Bianca Grover, DKH Nutritionists for WIC Program. “We reached out to local businesses in the community and asked them to take a pledge with us to become a ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ business, this encompasses having a welcoming environment for breastfeeding Moms and displaying the ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ Decal. In exchange for their pledge, we promote their business to the community. Businesses have been very open to this campaign and we hope to continue to gather support in our community. The ‘Family Friendly Establishment’ Pledge speaks to the benefits of breastfeeding and contains strategies and resources local businesses can use to create a baby friendly environment for their patrons and employees. This is part of a community-wide effort to break down the challenges to breastfeeding and to make it easier for breastfeeding to become part of the norm”. Katie Shepherd, Access Nutritionist for the WIC Program emphasizes that, “While it is legal to breastfeed anywhere in CT, many nursing Mothers are still asked to leave, nurse in restrooms or generally feel uncomfortable nursing in public places”.
For more information about breastfeeding friendly business and to receive the pledge and sticker, contact Katie Shepherd, Access WIC Nutritionist, at (860) 450-7400 ext. 7409 or katie.shepherd@accessagency.org.
Becoming a breastfeeding friendly business is good business. Local participating businesses include: Artique Paint Bar in Putnam, Jessica Tuesday’s in Putnam, DKH Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health in Putnam, The Stomping Ground Bar and Grille in Putnam, Heirloom Food Company in Danielson, Slater Library in Griswold, Mr. Z’s Restaurant in Plainfield, DKH Family Advocacy Center in Putnam, DKH Community Services Building in Putnam, Two Sisters Shipping in Jewett City /Griswold, LBP Hair Design in Jewett City /Griswold, Split Ends Hair Studio in Jewett City /Griswold, Surrell’s Pizza & Pub in Jewett City/Griswold, Willimantic Brewing Company Restaurant in Willimantic, Willimantic Library, A Cup Cake for Later in Willimantic, Access Agency, Inc. – Danielson, Access Agency, Inc – Emergency Shelter in Danielson, Willimantic Coop in Willimantic, Generations in Willimantic and Natures Grocer in Vernon.