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Southend Supports Breastfeeding is a public health scheme, supported by SAVS and is part of the Better Start Southend Legacy. SAVS signs up businesses to the scheme, making them recognise breastfeeding-friendly spaces.

Registering a business is simple and only takes about five minutes. Sign up online here.

If you need any help completing the form, please email [email protected] or call 01203 534913

Registering your business is free.

Your ‘We Are Breastfeeding Friendly’ window stickers, pin badges for staff and information to support your business in the scheme are also free. You do not need to make many (or any) changes to your space, unless you want to provide a private feeding area for families.

We need people like you. The UK has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world. We want to change that for families living in, and visiting, Southend. 

We all have a responsibility to protect and nurture the health and wellbeing of mothers, parents, and infants in our community.  

By participating in the scheme, you’re helping to create a culture of openness, inclusivity, and non-judgemental support so that everyone feels comfortable and confident to breastfeed, whenever and wherever they need to.   

Becoming a recognised breastfeeding friendly space means your business is providing an environment where breastfeeding families feel confident and supported by their community. That means you’re also supporting the many positive benefits of breastfeeding.

UNICEF is an excellent resource to learn more about the impact of low breastfeeding rates in the UK.

Once your application to the scheme is approved, you will be known as a recognised breastfeeding friendly space to families living in Southend. Your business details will be added to our interactive online map.

You’ll be providing families with welcoming and non-judgmental environments to feed their babies, leading to increased customer satisfaction at no financial cost.

Your business could benefit from the promotion of Southend Supports Breastfeeding, attracting new and loyal customers via the website, advertising, press features, social media and word of mouth. You will also be able to download digital assets for your website and social media channels to let your customers know you are breastfeeding friendly.

Your staff don’t need any formal training. You do need to ensure that all staff have been told about the scheme. Once registered, you’ll receive a welcome pack. 

Southend Supports Breastfeeding is a team of multi-skilled and qualified professionals who are dedicated to breaking down barriers to breastfeeding.

To help achieve that, we offer breastfeeding awareness training for you and your staff. The information and guidance we provide in these sessions will empower your workforce with the knowledge and confidence they need to support breastfeeding in public.

To arrange your free training, or for any other support, please email [email protected]

Yes, of course!

Engaging local businesses in our scheme, regardless of how much you know about breastfeeding, creates a supportive environment for families and helps break down barriers.

Registered businesses will receive guidance and support from the team at Southend Supports Breastfeeding.

If you’d like to speak to someone before signing up, please email [email protected] or call 01203 534913.

It is legal to breastfeed in public places anywhere in the UK. This includes all recreational parks, public buildings such as libraries and museums, shops, restaurants, sports and leisure facilities, and when using public transport.  

According to the Equality Act of 2010, treating a woman/parent unfavourably because they are breastfeeding a child of any age is considered sex discrimination. 

This applies to any business or premises providing services to the public, including public institutions, associations and higher education bodies. 

It is unlawful for a service provider to discriminate, harass or victimise a woman because she is breastfeeding.  

Discrimination includes refusing to provide a service, providing a lower standard of service or providing a service on different terms.

It is understandable that owners and managers want to consider the needs and comfort of all their customers/visitors. It is, however, unlawful to discriminate against a woman/parent because they are breastfeeding according to the Equality Act 2010. You cannot ask someone to stop breastfeeding, to move or cover up, or refuse to serve them.

If you’d like some support in this area, please email [email protected] or call 01203 534913.

You may have conversations with customers/visitors who need breastfeeding support. Although your business is a recognised breastfeeding friendly space, it is not the responsibility of your staff to give specific advice on breastfeeding.

You can direct people to the resources page on our website, where they can find help and information www.southendsupportsbreastfeeding.org.uk/resources

During pregnancy, after the birth of your baby and in their early years, there are lots of people to turn to for advice during #YourFeedingJourney.

You’ll find lots of help and information at www.southendsupportsbreastfeeding.org.uk/resources including local breastfeeding support groups and helplines.

Please email [email protected] if you can’t find what you’re looking for. We will be happy to help or point you in the right direction.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and feel unwell or need care, please contact your GP, midwife, or local health visitor. Call NHS 111 if you need urgent medical help, dial 999 or go to A&E if it’s an emergency.

Yes!

Whilst the scheme is committed to the promotion, protection, and support of breastfeeding, we understand that not every family will have the choice to breastfeed exclusively or continue breastfeeding. At Southend Supports Breastfeeding all infant feeding choices are considered and supported.  

Some of the breastfeeding friendly spaces registered with the scheme do not serve food and drink, for example libraries and community centres.

There are lots of cafes and restaurants across Southend who are part of the scheme and are committed to being breastfeeding friendly.

We can’t speak on behalf of each individual business about the need to buy refreshments. We are confident they will be considerate. We suggest asking a staff member when you arrive or call ahead if you can. It may depend on how busy they are at the time.

Please use the map to find your nearest breastfeeding friendly space when you’re on the go. You can search and filter to find somewhere that’s right for you.

We are sorry to hear that.

We are dedicated to ensuring that businesses registered with the scheme are committed to supporting families who are breastfeeding. Please email [email protected] or call 01203 534913. You can also complete our contact form.

It would be helpful if you could include the name of the business or venue, the date you visited, and details of your experience. Thank you.